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International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Recommends Expanded Approval of Korea's Tidal Flats Phase 2 for UNESCO World Heritage
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Date
2026.06.16.
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327
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International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Recommends Expanded Approval of Korea's Tidal Flats Phase 2 for UNESCO World Heritage
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS; Administrator Huh Min) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on June 5 that the IUCN* has recommended to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee the expanded inscription of Korean Tidal Flats (Phase 2) as a World Heritage site.
* IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature
: An advisory body for natural heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Based on its evaluation, the IUCN concluded that Korean Tidal Flats (Phase 2) meets the World Heritage criteria* and recommended that the World Heritage Committee approve a significant boundary modification that substantially expands the area of the existing Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage site. The heritage was also found to meet the World Heritage criteria and requirements for integrity, protection, and management as outlined in the operational guidelines for implementing the World Heritage Convention.
* Listing Criterion No. 10: The most important and meaningful natural habitat for the conservation of iological diversity—including endangered species—from a scientific/conservation perspective
This recommendation for the Phase 2 expansion of inscription adds ▲ Yeosu Tidal Flats, ▲ Goheung Tidal Flats, ▲ Muan Tidal Flats, and ▲ Seosan Tidal Flats to the existing World Heritage site, thereby expanding both its parts and total area. Once the inscription is confirmed, Korean Tidal Flats will become a serial property comprising six components*.
* Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Tidal Flats, Sinan-Muan Tando Bay Tidal Flats, Muan Hamhae Bay Tidal Flats, Gochang Tidal Flats, Seocheon Tidal Flats, and Seosan Tidal Flats
Four Korean tidal flats—the Seocheon Tidal Flats, Gochang Tidal Flats, Sinan Tidal Flats, and Boseong-Suncheon Tidal Flats—were inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th World Heritage Committee meeting in 2021 in recognition of their world heritage value. At the time, along with the decision to list the site, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a second phase of expanded listing that includes additional tidal flat areas for further enhancement of the "outstanding universal value" of the heritage.
Along with this recommendation for expanded listing, the IUCN suggested continuing efforts to analyze additional tidal flat areas with potential and outstanding universal value and to secure community support. It also recommended that traditional fishing methods as well as the culture of harvesting tidal flat resources be preserved, and that international cooperation with the relevant parties be strengthened continuously to conserve the West Sea ecosystem and key habitats of the East Asia-Australia migratory bird flyway.
The final decision on whether to list the Tidal Flats of Korea Phase 2 will be made at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in Busan this coming July. KHS and MOF plan to cooperate closely with the relevant local governments, local communities, and Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Promotion Team to strengthen the preservation and management of the world heritage value of Korean tidal flats, while also responding actively to ensure that the World Heritage Committee makes a final decision to list them by faithfully implementing the recommendations of the IUCN.
Attached photo materials. End.
- Final decision on the expanded inscription to be made at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in Busan this coming July
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS; Administrator Huh Min) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on June 5 that the IUCN* has recommended to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee the expanded inscription of Korean Tidal Flats (Phase 2) as a World Heritage site.
* IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature
: An advisory body for natural heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Based on its evaluation, the IUCN concluded that Korean Tidal Flats (Phase 2) meets the World Heritage criteria* and recommended that the World Heritage Committee approve a significant boundary modification that substantially expands the area of the existing Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage site. The heritage was also found to meet the World Heritage criteria and requirements for integrity, protection, and management as outlined in the operational guidelines for implementing the World Heritage Convention.
* Listing Criterion No. 10: The most important and meaningful natural habitat for the conservation of iological diversity—including endangered species—from a scientific/conservation perspective
This recommendation for the Phase 2 expansion of inscription adds ▲ Yeosu Tidal Flats, ▲ Goheung Tidal Flats, ▲ Muan Tidal Flats, and ▲ Seosan Tidal Flats to the existing World Heritage site, thereby expanding both its parts and total area. Once the inscription is confirmed, Korean Tidal Flats will become a serial property comprising six components*.
* Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Tidal Flats, Sinan-Muan Tando Bay Tidal Flats, Muan Hamhae Bay Tidal Flats, Gochang Tidal Flats, Seocheon Tidal Flats, and Seosan Tidal Flats
Four Korean tidal flats—the Seocheon Tidal Flats, Gochang Tidal Flats, Sinan Tidal Flats, and Boseong-Suncheon Tidal Flats—were inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th World Heritage Committee meeting in 2021 in recognition of their world heritage value. At the time, along with the decision to list the site, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a second phase of expanded listing that includes additional tidal flat areas for further enhancement of the "outstanding universal value" of the heritage.
Along with this recommendation for expanded listing, the IUCN suggested continuing efforts to analyze additional tidal flat areas with potential and outstanding universal value and to secure community support. It also recommended that traditional fishing methods as well as the culture of harvesting tidal flat resources be preserved, and that international cooperation with the relevant parties be strengthened continuously to conserve the West Sea ecosystem and key habitats of the East Asia-Australia migratory bird flyway.
The final decision on whether to list the Tidal Flats of Korea Phase 2 will be made at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in Busan this coming July. KHS and MOF plan to cooperate closely with the relevant local governments, local communities, and Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Promotion Team to strengthen the preservation and management of the world heritage value of Korean tidal flats, while also responding actively to ensure that the World Heritage Committee makes a final decision to list them by faithfully implementing the recommendations of the IUCN.
Attached photo materials. End.
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