Korean documents added to UNESCO world heritage list

Two Korean historical documents have been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World list: the Ilsungrok and archives relating to the 1980 pro-democracy uprisings in Gwangju.  The decision was made at the UNESCO International Advisory Committee meeting on May 23.

The Ilsungrok is a record of daily reflections on the lives of ancient kings by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty.

The second addition to the list was a collection of documents, including police notes and photographs, from the May 18 pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju.  Both the archives and the Ilsungrok were praised for their value as records of Korean culture and politics.

Nine Korean records have now been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World listings, including the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, the Uigwe royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty and Donguibogam medical text.

By Oh Jun Kyung
Korea.net Staff Writer