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Phase 2 of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
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2026.07.30.
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Phase 2 of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that the 48th World Heritage Committee approved the inscription of Phase 2 of Getbol (Korean Tidal Flats) on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
* The Committee—UNESCO's highest decision-making body determining the inscription of new World Heritage sites, management plans for heritage sites at risk, and operation of the World Heritage Fund—met in Busan from July 19 to 29.
This decision approved the expansion of the boundaries of "Tidal Flats of Korea," which was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th World Heritage Committee meeting in 2021, adding ▲Yeosu Getbol, ▲Goheung Getbol, ▲Muan Getbol, and ▲Seosan Getbol to the heritage sites. As a result, Tidal Flats of Korea has been expanded to a serial property consisting of a total of six components* including the existing Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol, and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol.
* Components of Korean Tidal Flats (6): Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Getbol, Shinan-Muan Tando Bay Getbol, Muan Hamhae Bay Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Seocheon Getbol, and Seosan Getbol
The World Heritage Committee recognized that Korean tidal flats meet the World Heritage criteria* concerning the importance of biodiversity and conservation of endangered species. In particular, the Committee recognized their contribution to the conservation of internationally important migratory waterbirds and diverse marine life as a key habitat for the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asia-Australasian Flyway.
* Inscription Criteria (x, No. 10): Include the most significant natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity—such as endangered species—from a scientific/conservation perspective.
In 2021, the 44th World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe "Tidal Flats of Korea" as a World Heritage Site by recognizing the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of four tidal flats: Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Sinan Getbol, and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol. At the time, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a second phase of expanded listing that included other important tidal flat areas taking into account the ecological connectivity of the tidal flats.
To implement the recommendations above, MOF collaborated closely with the relevant central ministries, local governments, local communities, and World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flats. In particular, the Ministry has jointly carried out the necessary procedures for inscription such as reviewing the World Heritage value of the tidal flats to be inscribed additionally, designating wetland protection areas and establishing management systems, consulting with local communities, and responding to the review by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body. This inscription holds great significance as it is the result of such cooperation.
At the time of the first phase of inscription, the World Heritage Committee recommended—in addition to the expanded listing—the establishment of an integrated management system among scattered heritage sites and strengthening of international cooperation. Accordingly, MOF has constructed the Tidal Flat World Heritage Conservation Center in Sinan-gun to establish an integrated management system and signed an MOU to cooperate with the Wadden Sea Secretariat in Europe. MOF plans to expand management projects to areas listed in this second phase for the systematic conservation of heritage.
“This second-phase expansion is even more meaningful since it represents international recognition of the achievements made in faithfully implementing the recommendations presented at the time of the 2021 listing. We will continue managing Korea’s tidal flats systematically by cooperating more closely with the relevant ministries, local governments, and local communities,” said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo.
- 48th World Heritage Committee’s approval of the inscription … Includes Yeosu, Goheung, Muan, and Seosan Tidal Flats
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that the 48th World Heritage Committee approved the inscription of Phase 2 of Getbol (Korean Tidal Flats) on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
* The Committee—UNESCO's highest decision-making body determining the inscription of new World Heritage sites, management plans for heritage sites at risk, and operation of the World Heritage Fund—met in Busan from July 19 to 29.
This decision approved the expansion of the boundaries of "Tidal Flats of Korea," which was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th World Heritage Committee meeting in 2021, adding ▲Yeosu Getbol, ▲Goheung Getbol, ▲Muan Getbol, and ▲Seosan Getbol to the heritage sites. As a result, Tidal Flats of Korea has been expanded to a serial property consisting of a total of six components* including the existing Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol, and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol.
* Components of Korean Tidal Flats (6): Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Getbol, Shinan-Muan Tando Bay Getbol, Muan Hamhae Bay Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Seocheon Getbol, and Seosan Getbol
The World Heritage Committee recognized that Korean tidal flats meet the World Heritage criteria* concerning the importance of biodiversity and conservation of endangered species. In particular, the Committee recognized their contribution to the conservation of internationally important migratory waterbirds and diverse marine life as a key habitat for the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asia-Australasian Flyway.
* Inscription Criteria (x, No. 10): Include the most significant natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity—such as endangered species—from a scientific/conservation perspective.
In 2021, the 44th World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe "Tidal Flats of Korea" as a World Heritage Site by recognizing the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of four tidal flats: Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Sinan Getbol, and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol. At the time, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a second phase of expanded listing that included other important tidal flat areas taking into account the ecological connectivity of the tidal flats.
To implement the recommendations above, MOF collaborated closely with the relevant central ministries, local governments, local communities, and World Heritage Promotion Team of Korean Tidal Flats. In particular, the Ministry has jointly carried out the necessary procedures for inscription such as reviewing the World Heritage value of the tidal flats to be inscribed additionally, designating wetland protection areas and establishing management systems, consulting with local communities, and responding to the review by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body. This inscription holds great significance as it is the result of such cooperation.
At the time of the first phase of inscription, the World Heritage Committee recommended—in addition to the expanded listing—the establishment of an integrated management system among scattered heritage sites and strengthening of international cooperation. Accordingly, MOF has constructed the Tidal Flat World Heritage Conservation Center in Sinan-gun to establish an integrated management system and signed an MOU to cooperate with the Wadden Sea Secretariat in Europe. MOF plans to expand management projects to areas listed in this second phase for the systematic conservation of heritage.
“This second-phase expansion is even more meaningful since it represents international recognition of the achievements made in faithfully implementing the recommendations presented at the time of the 2021 listing. We will continue managing Korea’s tidal flats systematically by cooperating more closely with the relevant ministries, local governments, and local communities,” said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo.
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