In Korea, the significance of ICH runs particularly deep. The country boasts an impressive array of official UNESCO recognitions in the category. These include the solemn Jongmyo Jerye ritual and its accompanying music, the powerful narrative art of Pansori, the vibrant Gangneung Danoje Festival and the mesmerizing folk dance Ganggangsullae. Other notable examples showcase Korea’s cultural diversity: the dynamic male performance art Namsadang Nori, the spiritual Buddhist rite Yeongsanjae and the beloved folk song “Arirang.” The most recent jewel in Korea’s UNESCO crown is Talchum, a traditional mask dance inscribed in 2022. These cultural expressions are not only artistically significant but also vital in maintaining the cultural fabric of Korean society. 

A public performance of gagok (traditional music) with the accompanying vocalists singing sijo (a form of Korean poetry) (Photo courtesy of the KHS)

Forward-thinking government policies have been implemented to safeguard these cultural treasures. Such initiatives focus on expanding ICH transmission by recognizing a more diverse group of general practitioners as transmission educators. National institutions have received substantial assistance and significant financial support to help them designate ICH and nurture communities through which the selected heritage can be transmitted. One innovative policy fosters the use of craftwork creation in palace exhibits to give vulnerable practitioners both financial backing and valuable exposure as artists and transmitters.

Korea’s ICH preservation now includes a groundbreaking incentive for outstanding ICH transmitters. Launched this year, the program offers annual grants totaling 1.6 billion won to around 270 top practitioners. This financial support ensures these skilled individuals can continue their vital transmission activities with greater stability, securing the future of Korea’s ICH.

To increase public awareness and appreciation for ICH, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), in partnership with the Korea Heritage Agency, is hosting a series of public events throughout August. These 25 events, led by heritage holders or groups, offer citizens unique firsthand experiences with officially recognized heritage practices in their original forms.

These events serve as a bridge between Korea’s rich cultural past and its vibrant present. By bringing ICH to the public, the KHS aims to deepen contemporary society’s connections to its cultural roots, fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of these traditions among the general population.

Korea’s approach to preserving and promoting its ICH stands as a model for effectively maintaining cultural traditions and integrating them into modern society. Through a combination of targeted policies, financial support and public engagement, the government is ensuring that these invaluable cultural assets continue to be transmitted, appreciated and celebrated for years to come. The August events demonstrate that ICH is not just about preserving the past; it’s about nurturing the living culture of today and shaping the cultural landscape of tomorrow.