The Phase II extension of 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」 has been approved for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On 25th July, 2026, the World Heritage Committee, convening for its 48th session in Busan from 19 to 29 July, adopted the final decision approving the Phase II extension of the property.

   The decision approved a significant boundary modification to 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2021. The modification adds ▲ Yeosu Getbol, ▲ Goheung Getbol, ▲ Muan Getbol and ▲ Seosan Getbol and enlarges the boundaries of the property. As a result, 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」 has been extended and reconfigured as a serial property comprising six component parts, incorporating the previously inscribed Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol.

* Component parts of Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats: Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Getbol; Shinan-Muan Tandoman Getbol; Muan Hamhaeman Getbol; Gochang Getbol; Seocheon Getbol; and Seosan Getbol.

   The World Heritage Committee recognized that 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」 meets World Heritage criterion (x), which concerns the conservation of biological diversity and threatened species. In particular, the Committee highly valued the property's natural heritage significance as a key habitat within the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, contributing to the conservation of internationally important migratory waterbirds and diverse marine life.

* Criterion (x): to contain most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of Outstanding Universal Value from the point of view of science or conservation

   In 2021, 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」 was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of the Outstanding Universal Value of its four component parts: Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol. At the time, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a Phase II extension that would include additional tidal-flat areas and more fully represent the value of the property.

   In response, since the Phase I inscription in 2021, the Korea Heritage Service has worked closely with relevant central government ministries, local governments, local communities and the World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flats to implement the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee. In particular, it has continuously assessed the World Heritage value of additional tidal-flat areas, designated protected areas and strengthened management systems, consulted with local communities, and responded to the evaluation undertaken by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

   The Phase II extension is a significant achievement made possible by the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Heritage Service, the relevant local governments, and the World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flats. It is particularly meaningful as international recognition of Korea's faithful implementation of the recommendations made at the time of the property's initial inscription in 2021. It has further strengthened the property's biodiversity conservation value and integrity by identifying additional component parts and reinforcing the foundations for its protection and management. The decision also reaffirms the importance of international cooperation for the conservation of the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

   Building on the extended inscription, the Korea Heritage Service will work even more closely and proactively with relevant central government ministries, local governments, local communities and the World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flats. It will systematically conserve and manage the Outstanding Universal Value of 「Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats」 and establish a foundation for its sustainable use in partnership with local communities.