▲ Congratulatory address of President Park delivered on her behalf by the Administrator of CHA

A ceremony was held to celebrate the designation of Baekje Historic Areas as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on September 22, 2015 Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do.

Of the archeological areas collectively named UNESCO World Heritage on July 4, 2015, two -- Gongsanseong Fortress and Ancient Tombs in Songsan-ri -- are in Gongju, four -- Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong Fortress, Jeongnimsa Temple Site, Ancient Tombs in Neungsan-ri, and Outer City Wall -- are in Buyeo, and the remaining two -- Archeological Site in Wanggung-ri and Mireuksa Temple Site -- are in Iksan.

Jointly hosted by the local governments of Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, Gongju, Buyeo, and Iksan and organized by Jeollabuk-do and Iksan, the ceremony was attended by more than 2,000 people including the Administrator of Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) of Korea, representatives of local governments and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.

The ceremony was held to celebrate the designation of Baekje Historic Areas as the first UNESCO World Heritage in Chungcheongnam-do and the 12th in Korea. It is also prepared to promote awareness of the outstanding universal value of human culture embodied by the Baekje Historic Areas.

Themed “Open the Door to the Thousand Years of Ancient Kingdom Baekje,” the ceremony began with the unveiling ceremony of the symbolic structure, followed by the presentation of the World Heritage Certificate, declaration of registration, and recognition of people involved in the registration. The Jeollabuk-do Provincial Institute for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and KBS Children’s Choir delivered congratulatory performances.

Rha Sun-hwa, the Administrator of CHA presented the World Heritage Certificate to the mayors of Gongju, Iksan and Buyeo.

“This is only the beginning of more work that lies ahead to preserve the areas better and promote local tourism and cultural projects around these areas. The designation of Baekje Historic Areas as UNESCO World Heritage will provide fresh momentum for research on the history of Baekje, which has received relatively less attention in the academe. We will do more to support further research on this historical treasure,” said Song Suk Doo, the Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs of Chungcheongnam-do.

Building on the close cooperation maintained over the past ten years leading to the registration, the Cultural Heritage Administration and five local governments plan to work closely together with local residents and reorganize the Baekje Historic Areas Conservation and Management Foundation into the Baekje World Heritage Center next year.

The center will play a crucial role in the preservation and care of relics of Baekje more systematically, building of cultural and tourism infrastructure, and creating an integrated tourism system as well as turning the areas into a major tourist attraction combining history and culture.