국가유산청 세계문화유산 전문위원이고 영국 왕립아시아학회(The Royal Asiatic Society, UK) 석학회원으로 활동하고 있는 데이비드 윌리엄 김 (David William Kim)교수는 한국 최초로 (7월 19 - 29일) 개최되는 유네스코 세계문화유산 위원회 (UNESCO World Heritage Committee)의 중요성, 의미, 한국에 미치는 영향에 대해 국내 영어 Arirang TV에서 생방송 인터뷰를 하게 되었다. 

유네스코 세계유산위원회(UNESCO World Heritage Committee)는 UN국제기구로 196 세계유산협약 당사국이 세계적으로 뛰어난 보편적 가치를 지닌 문화.자연유산을 보호.관리한다. 위원회는 새로운 세계유산 등재 여부를 심의하고, 기존 세계유산의 보존상태를 점검한다. 

또한 훼손위험이 있는 유산을 '위험에 처한 세계유산'으로 지정하거나 보존대책을 권고하기도 한다. 세계유산위원회의 결정은 인류공동의 유산을 미래세대에 전하기 위한 국제사회의 협력을 이끄는 중요한 기준이 되며, 문화와 자연유산 보호에 큰 영향을 미치고 있다. 이번에 한국은 갯벌 (Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage property) 4곳 (여수, 고흥, 무안, 서산)을 추가해 2단계확대 등재신청을 하고 결과를 기다리게 되었다. 아래는 인터뷰 내용을 간략하게 소개하고 있다.  

TV 인터퓨 링크: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGN4QZ8QDrw
  

K-Culture Dive: Busan hosts UNESCO World Heritage gathering
South Korea's southeastern city of Busan is hosting the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, marking Korea's first time hosting this major international meeting at which experts from around the world are gathering to discuss the inscription and preservation of World Heritage sites. There's a great deal of anticipation surrounding this year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session. What does hosting the meeting mean for Korea, and what kind of impact do you think it could have? Why was Busan selected as the host city, and what makes it a fitting venue for this global gathering? Korea is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, from ancient temples and royal tombs to historical shrines and Buddhist mountain monasteries. Despite their diversity, what do you think is the common thread that makes Korea's World Heritage sites so distinctive?

Jongmyo Shrine, located in central Seoul, is one of Korea's best-known UNESCO World Heritage sites. What makes Jongmyo such a fascinating subject to study? Beyond World Heritage, Korea's traditional jang-making culture was inscribed by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. What moment from that experience has stayed with you the most? What are some of the key issues that will be discussed during this year's committee session in Busan? Are there any agenda items related to Korea that we should pay special attention to? Inscribing a site on the World Heritage List is only the beginning. Preserving and managing it for future generations is just as important. Looking ahead, how do you think Korea should continue to protect and make the most of its World Heritage sites? Finally, how would you define cultural heritage? And if there is one aspect of Korea's cultural heritage that you wish more people around the world knew about, what would it be?

For further details, see: https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=298367&lang=en