한국, 유네스코 무형유산위원국 세번째 당선...인류무형문화유산 등재 결정 등 논의에 주도적 참여 기대

South Korea has been elected as a member of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee for the third time, becoming one of the agency's 24 States Parties.
Choi Jeong-yoon reports
South Korea will be contributing more to protecting intangible cultural heritage around the world.
At the eighth session of the UNESCO General Assembly in Paris on Thursday,...South Korea was elected as a member of the UN cultural agency's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This marks the third time since 2008 that South Korea has been elected to the 24-member committee.
"The fact that South Korea was elected three times shows that the international community acknowledges Korea's effort and contribution in protecting intangible cultural heritage."
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was a tight race with India also fighting for a seat in the Asia-Pacific group.
Of 146 countries present, 80 backed South Korea.
This means Seoul will be in decision-making process, including which intangible cultural heritages are inscribed on the Heritage List as well as defining the use and allocation of UNESCO funds.
Korea currently has 20 intangible cultural heritages listed by UNESCO.
The South Korean government is planning to push ahead with having Yeondeunghoe, the lantern lighting festival, and Talchum, the traditional mask dance drama, and making fermented Korean sauce added the list in the coming years.
The term is four years,... but a country cannot serve consecutive terms and has to wait two years for another chance to join once their term is over.
Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.