Ssireum to become UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Asset

Ssireum, Korean traditional wrestling, is highly likely to be listed as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Asset. Both South and North Korea have separately applied for the inclusion of ssireum in the UNESCO’s list.

The Cultural Heritage Administration said on Monday that ssireum was recommended for addition to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Asset by the eval‎uation body under the UNESCO. The eval‎uation body makes recommendations in three grades (Inscribe, Refer, Not to inscribe) to the committee for its final decision. The recommendation by the eval‎uation body is accepted in most cases.

Meanwhile, “Ssireum by the DPRK” applied by North Korea was also recommended for inclusion by the eval‎uation body. Two Koreas submitted applications separately but eyes are on whether two Koreas will merge their bids. The final decision will be made during the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will be held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1 in Mauritius.


Won-Mo Yu onemore@donga.com