N. Korea seeks heritage status for Gaeseong

North Korea has asked UNESCO to designate its southern border city of Gaeseong as a World Heritage Site, according to the U.N. body in charge of heritage.

The North’s move was made public a day after the World Heritage Committee opened its 36th session in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The session is to last until July 6. The committee has a final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Last year, North Korea proposed historic monuments and sites in Gaeseong for inscription on the list, though its bid failed due to insufficient documents.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites, an advisory body to UNESCO, plans to visit Gaeseong between July and October for an on-site inspection, according to South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration.

The World Heritage Committee is expected to decide whether to place Gaeseong on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List during the 37th session slated between late June 2013 and early July 2013.

North Korea has cooperated with South Korea to better preserve the ruins of Manwoldae, the royal palace of the Goryeo Dynasty that ruled the Korean Peninsula from 918 to 1392.

Gaeseong served as the capital for most of Goryeo’s reign. Now it is home to an industrial complex run by the two divided Koreas. 

(Yonhap News)