1. The Republic of Korea (ROK) has been elected a member of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2020-2024 term. The election on September 10 took place during the eighth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Paris, France, on September 8-10, 2020.

o In a close election that saw the ROK compete with India for the seat in the Asia-Pacific Group, the ROK was elected with the support of 80 of the 146 countries that participated in the election from among the total of 178 States Parties to the Convention.

o Elected to the committee for a third time, the ROK previously served in the committee for the 2008-2012 and 2014-2018 periods. The continuous participation of the ROK in the committee reflects the ROK’s active involvement in Funds-in-Trust projects for the safeguarding of intangible heritage and its strong commitment to the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2. The intergovernmental committee is tasked with making decisions in the procedure for the inscription on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As a fresh committee member, the ROK is expected to actively participate in key discussions and decision-making processes on the inscription of intangible cultural heritage of humanity and international cooperation regarding its protection.

3. As a committee member for the next four years, the Government of the ROK is strongly committed to contributing to discussions regarding the safeguarding and transmission of the common cultural heritage of humanity.