What is the plan to inscribe Taekwondo as a UNESCO ICH?

In his congratulatory speech of this forum, President. Dong-Sup Lee of the Kukkiwon, mentioned the international status of the Kukkiwon(World Taekwondo Headquarters), the task of fulfilling its practical role, and the relevance and importance of UNESCO ICH registration of Taekwondo. This is in the same context as the opening speech of Director. Jae-Chun Choi, to secure the international status of the Kukkiwon.

President. Dae-Sik Jang of the Hyulim Robot and the NET ZERO Climate Foundation, recalled in his congratulatory speech whether 'Gukki'(국기, National Sport) Taekwondo is being treated justly by our country, and noted that the UNESCO ICH registration of Taekwondo could provide such an opportunity. President. Jang is known to have provided both material and emotional support for the activities of the registration promotion of Taekwondo team for the past year.

President. Han-Kyung Lee of the KAHPERD, revealed his Taekwondo training history in his congratulatory speech and expressed his extraordinary affection for Taekwondo. He said he hopes this forum will serve as an opportunity to promote the cultural value of Taekwondo to the world and become a cornerstone of UNESCO ICH registration.

In particular, the topic presentation of the second part and the comprehensive discussion of the third part were time to closely diagnose the practical tasks and current status of Taekwondo for being inscribed on the UNESCO ICH. The audience who attended this forum continued to pay keen attention and ask questions.

△The first presentation of The former Secretary-General. Kwon Heo of International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO(ICHCAP), focused on the task of the Taekwondo registering to the UNESCO ICH. He first suggested the current status of the listing of UNESCO ICH and martial arts heritage, while hinting at the possibility of Taekwondo being registered. Subsequently, the presentation was completed with the concept and characteristics of protection presented by UNESCO ICH and precautions when preparing for the registration of Taekwondo.

 

△In the second presentation of the second part, the Professor. Seong-Bae Kong of the Yong-In University, compared the criteria and procedures of UNESCO with qualification of Taekwondo for UNESCO registration and verified that it is highly likely to be registered along with its legitimacy. In particular, Professor. Kong added the credibility of the presentation as he participated in the joint inscribing of Ssirum/Ssireum(Traditional Korean Wrestling) as a UNESCO ICH in 2018.

 

△PhD. Keon-Sik Heo of the World Martial Arts Masterships Committee(WMC) explained the relationship between the IOC, SportAccord(formerly GAISF), United Nations(UN), and UNESCO, referring to future cooperation with the Kukkiwon(World Taekwondo Headquarters) beyond the UNESCO ICH registration of Taekwondo. This explanation of PhD. Heo made it more convincing to introduce the effects that Taekwondo will follow after it is inscribed as a list of UNESCO ICH under the leadership of the Kukkiwon in the relationship of international organizations.

 

The comprehensive discussion of the third part of this forum was led by Professor. Sung-Kyun Cho of the Kyung-Hee University. As well as questions and answers among the panel of experts participating in the comprehensive discussion, heated questions from the audience of forum, who remained seated until late night. The comprehensive discussion continued well beyond the scheduled of event.

 

At the end of the event, Director. Jae-Chun Choi thanked everyone who attended the forum and said, "I am very positive that many people attended the opening ceremony as well as heated discussions and questions and answers until at late night."