UNESCO panel backs North Korea's taekwondo listing, sidelining South Korea's bid
The gist
A UNESCO evaluation body recommended inscribing North Korea's taekwondo nomination on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
South Korea, which applied only this year, now seeks its own listing.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2024North Korea submitted its nomination titled "Taekwon-Do, Traditional Martial Art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" to UNESCO.
- Mar 2026South Korea submitted its own taekwondo application to UNESCO, after considering a possible joint inscription with the North.
- Nov 4, 2026The Korea Heritage Service said it will pursue taekwondo's UNESCO listing regardless of the outcome of the review of Pyongyang's application. An evaluation body in Paris recommended approval of North Korea's nomination.
Key terms
- UNESCO
- A UN specialized agency promoting world peace through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture, headquartered in Paris.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage List
- A UNESCO listing of cultural practices such as customs, beliefs, traditions, folklore, language and knowledge, rather than physical sites or objects.
Source: Wikipedia