Korean tug-of-war game added to UNESCO list

Published : Dec 2, 2015 - 21:09 Updated : Dec 2, 2015 - 21:09

A traditional Korean tug-of-war folk game had its name added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list Wednesday, jointly with three other Asian countries with similar traditions.

Tugging rituals and games, proposed by South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, gained status as UNESCO-recognized traditions of humanity during the 10th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Windhoek, the capital of southwest African country Namibia.

A traditional Korean tug-of-war folk game was added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list Wednesday. (Yonhap)

With the newest addition, South Korea now has a total of 18 folk traditions on the heritage list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including “nongak,” traditional Korean music performed by farmers, which made it to the list in 2014, and “kimjang,” the community-based practice of making and sharing kimchi together. (Yonhap)