The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yu In Chon, MCST) will hold five rounds of 2025 K-UNESCO Adventure from June to November to promote Korea’s UNESCO-listed heritage globally with foreign content creators residing in Korea. The program invites participants to explore Korea’s vibrant history and culture by visiting various heritage sites across Jeongeup, Busan, Gwangju and Suwon in Gyeonggi-do (province), Yeosu and Pyeongchang.

UNESCO heritage represents invaluable assets of outstanding universal value that need to be protected by humanity as a whole. Korea boasts 16 World Heritage sites, 23 elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and 20 items listed in the Memory of the World Register. With the aim of promoting the excellence and value of Korea’s cultural heritage, MCST plans to select foreign residents in Korea active on social media platforms, who will have opportunities to explore Korean heritage sites and create and share their own content with the world.

From Jeongeup and Busan in June to Pyeongchang in November - ”Unlock Korea’s Treasures”

Under the theme of “Unlock Korea’s Treasures,” the exploration program is set to begin in Jeongeup and Busan in June, continue to Gwangju and Suwon in Gyeonggi-do (province) in September, visit Yeosu in October and conclude in Pyeongchang in November in search for UNESCO heritage hidden throughout the nation.

Global content creators will kick off their adventures in Jeongeup by learning about Korea’s history of Neo-Confucianism in Museong-seowon Confucian Academy and honoring the popular spirit of resistance at the National Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Park. In Busan, participants will visit historic sites of the wartime capital during the Korean War and capture the colorful landscapes of Gamcheon Culture Village on video. The tour in Gwangju and Suwon will include Namhansanseong Fortress and Hwaseong Fortress, allowing for a trip back in time that follows the stories of historical events and figures associated with the fortresses. In Yeosu, participants will learn about the life of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the history of the Joseon Dynasty’s naval battles centering on Nanjung Ilgi (War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin), which is listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, and then head to the seaside to enjoy the romantic night seascapes of Yeosu and the experience of a getbol (Korean tidal flats). Finally, Pyeongchang will offer visitors a kimchi-making event to experience the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kimjang (making and sharing kimchi), followed by a visit to the National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and Gwangcheonseongul Cave.

Video records of each tour and special features on cultural heritage sites to be produced and distributed

MCST will upload video recordings of every round of tours to Korea.net’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@GatewayToKorea) and produce special-feature videos on the theme of UNESCO heritage, to be promoted across the world. For more information about the program schedules and application process, please visit the official websites at https://www.heritageinkorea.kr.

An MCST policy official stated, “Opportunities to learn in depth about the history and culture of Korea are rare even for long-term foreign residents of Korea,” adding, “I hope that this program will allow participants to experience Korea’s precious cultural heritage firsthand and promote them worldwide, serving as cultural ambassadors.”