Korean mountain fortress wins UNESCO heritage status

An ancient mountain fortress in South Korea made the UNESCO world heritage list, Seoul officials said Sunday.

The 38th meeting of the World Heritage Committee that opened a week ago for a 10-day run in Doha, Qata, decided to give World Heritage status to the Namhansanseong mountain fortress in Gwangju, just southeast of Seoul, South Korea's Cultural Heritage Administration said.

The inscription brought to 11 the number of South Korean items on the UNESCO list. If North Korea is included, the number would rise to 14.

Located at an elevation of 480 meters above sea level, Namhansanseong is one of two mountain fortresses built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to defend the capital Seoul, along with Bukhansanseong. (Yonhap)