UNESCO representatives were pleased to find support on the Korean peninsula.
UNESCO is the United Nations’ leading agency for physical education and sports events. Guidance and assistance services are provided to governments, NGOs, and experts, including advising member states wishing to strengthen phys ed training systems.
Recently, UNESCO Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) committee leaders visited South Korea regarding the possibility of that country hosting the 5th Collective Consultation meeting of UNESCO’s TSG and World UNESCO TSG.
UNESCO in South Korea
Advisory Committee chairperson, Khalil Ahmed Khan, and rapporteur Mr. Shammi Rana, visited the Korean National office in Seoul and met with Assistant Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Kim Kwi-bae, and Mr. Myoung Shim Kim, Senior Program Specialist. They also visited two cities in South Korea, Gimhae and Gyeongju.
While there, they learned that the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has decided to engrave traditional Korean wrestling–also known as Ssirum or Ssireum–on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That decision is based on a joint application from the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Ssirum in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Ssireum in the Republic of Korea have profound significance for Koreans. Fundamentally linked to agriculture, it is a national sport and a popular cultural practice. Competitions are regularly organized during agricultural events and other festivals linked to different the cycle of the seasons.
The UNESCO representatives also met with the chairman of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Mr. Hwang Se-Young; Mr. Lee Sand, member, Parliament of Republic of Ulsan South Korea; and Mr. Lee Kee-heung, president of Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. They also met with officials of the Korea Halal Authority. The purpose was to discuss the possibility of Ulsan becoming a future host city for TSG activities.
