• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.162-182
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• 2024

Since the adoption of the World Heritage Convention, sites associated with dark histories have been inscribed as World Heritage sites over the past fifty years. However, in 2018, the review of nomination dossiers for these sites was temporarily suspended to prevent additional discomfort or the conflicts these inscriptions might cause. Despite concerns raised by experts about nominations of these sites, the increasing demands from State Parties led to the adoption of the Guiding Principles for the Preparation of Nominations Concerning Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts. These Guiding Principles have made it possible to inscribe such sites as World Heritage sites. The Guiding Principles play a crucial role in outlining the nature and criteria for inscription, the components required in the nomination dossier, and mechanisms for notifying a contestation in cases of differing interpretations of the site. Their primary aim is to minimize further conflicts that may arise from the inscription of sites of memory. They affirm that such sites can contribute to achieving the objectives of the World Heritage Convention and represent a significant step in addressing heritage interpretation in the World Heritage system. The amendment of the Operational Guidelines to incorporate a contestation mechanism has arguably established a more transparent and open inscription process. However, the Guiding Principles also have limitations. Among the ten criteria set by the World Heritage Convention, sites related to conflicts or dark histories can use Criterion (vi). This criterion focuses on the site's outstanding universal value linked to historical events or associations, regardless of physical evidence. If a State Party chooses not to use Criterion (vi), the application of the Guiding Principles cannot be expected. Furthermore, while the Guiding Principles require a heritage interpretation strategy in the nomination dossier, the lack of detailed guidance may confuse nominating countries. Sites of memory associated with recent conflicts are not just places that need protection and remembrance due to their association with dark histories. They have also evolved to become spaces for reconciliation and healing. The inscription of these sites as World Heritage sites is not just a recognition of their historical significance, but also a platform for discussing the impact of past conflicts on modern society. It opens up a dialogue on how current generations can address these issues. With the adoption of the Guiding Principles, we hope that inscribed sites will not only promote reconciliation and healing but also serve as a starting point for addressing present and future challenges.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.18-31
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• 2024

This study examines the inscription trends and characteristics of 121 cultural landscapes inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List to gain a comprehensive understanding of their inherent values and attributes. By employing a dual methodology involving descriptive statistical analysis and in-depth case studies, this research investigates the geographical distribution, temporal inscription patterns, selection criteria, and typologies of these landscapes. The data for this study were collected from official documents and databases available on the UNESCO World Heritage Center website, ensuring the reliability and authenticity of the information. The analysis reveals that cultural landscapes are predominantly concentrated in Europe and Asia, with a steady increase in inscriptions since 1992. These landscapes are primarily recognized for their uniqueness in reflecting human-nature interactions, as well as the importance of traditional culture and land-use practices, resulting in their inscription mainly under criteria (iv), (iii), (v), and (ii). Furthermore, cultural landscapes can be broadly categorized into three types: designed landscapes, organically evolved landscapes, and associative landscapes. Among these, organically evolved landscapes, formed through long-term interactions between human activities such as agriculture and industry and the natural environment, constitute a significant proportion. These findings suggest that UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscapes possess a complex value system encompassing nature and culture, tangible and intangible elements, and material and non-material aspects. This necessitates a fundamental shift in the perception and preservation approaches to cultural heritage, requiring an integrated approach that emphasizes the overall context rather than individual elements and focuses on the dynamic process of landscape evolution itself. Moreover, cultural landscapes have the potential to contribute to sustainable development models by fostering regional identity, strengthening community resilience, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Therefore, the preservation and management of cultural landscapes require a perspective that holistically views the dynamic evolution process of the landscape and a governance system based on the active participation of local communities and stakeholders. This study contributes to enhancing the in-depth understanding of the characteristics and values of cultural landscapes and provides a foundation for the selection and management of future cultural landscape heritage sites.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.296-312
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• 2022

This paper examines the concept and process of heritagization, as well as other measures for the value enhancement of food culture as heritage, through the case of the gastronomic meal of the French, which has a long history as a socially constructed heritage. Heritage refers to what a society perceives as worthy of being transmitted. Thus, a heritage is something that a society or group chooses to preserve and that represents its identity. In the 19th century, France began to designate and protect heritage through a policy of preserving historical monuments, and heritage became both a social construct and creation with the purpose of preserving and enhancing values. Interest in heritage spread around the world with globalization, and has grown even greater since the 1972 UNESCO Convention. This interest has progressively extended to nature, urban landscapes and intangible cultural heritage. In 2003, the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted, and this has strengthened the interest in intangible cultural heritage worldwide. Food-related heritage has been excluded from the list due to difficulties in establishing inscription criteria and concerns about the potential commercialization of heritage. However, in 2010, the food cultures of the Mediterranean, Mexico, and France were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which prompted interest in food culture and efforts to inscribe the food heritage of a number of other countries, including Korea. France has a long history of interest in gastronomy as a cultural heritage and part of its national identity. Efforts to preserve and popularize gastronomy as a part of the national identity and heritage have been made at both the private level, by gourmets and associations, and at the governmental level. Through these efforts, the culture of gastronomy as a heritage has been firmly established through theoretical discussion, listing of food-related heritages, and policies. Sustainable development of the heritage is pursued through certain ongoing institutional approaches, including the City of Gastronomy network, the National Food Program, and the promotion and labeling of the Year of the French Gourmet.