The Kaesong region in North Korea is almost assured to be listed as UNESCO world heritage during the next vote of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh next June…
SEOUL- North Korea is not just only about nuclear bombs and a rather outdated Commmunist-style dictatorship. The country also wants to incarnate at best traditional values once it comes to art and culture.
Historic sites in North Korea’s border city of Kaesong are almost certain to be added to the world heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), according to the U.N. body’s website.
The historic monuments and sites in the ancient North Korean tourist city of Kaesong were recommended for registration on the world heritage list by an advisory panel conducting on-site surveys of nominations for UNESCO.
UNESCO unveiled a report on the result of the surveys conducted by the Paris-based International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) ahead of the 37th World Heritage Committee meeting in Phnom Penh from June 16-27.
The results of the non-governmental body’s examinations of nominations have a decisive influence on the UNESCO’s decision on new world heritage listings. Pyongyang requested that the many monuments of the city be registered as a global heritage in mid-2012.
Kaesong was the capital of Goryeo Dynasty that ruled the Korean Peninsula from 918 until 1392 when it was replaced by Joseon Dynasty. The city has numerous historical relics, including fortress walls, ruins of the palace, old buildings, and unique dwellings. In the vicinity of the city, there are numerous royal tombs such as the Tomb of King Wang Geon, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, and the Tomb of King Gongmin, the 318th king.
(Source: Yonhap News Agency)
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
