By Margareth Theresia
Video = Korea.net's official YouTube channel
The annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will open in Busan on July 19.
To run through July 29, the event will attract an estimated 3,000 people including the UNESCO director-general and delegates from the 196 countries that have signed the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, including 21 member states of the committee.
Starting with the opening ceremony on July 19 and the plenary session on July 20, delegates from each country will discuss key agenda such as reports on the status of World Heritage conservation, new designations and policies. The official schedule ends on July 29 after the closing ceremony the day before.
The Busan Metropolitan Government on July 16 said it will run customized programs during the session period to promote deeper understanding of Korean history and culture among participants.
They include Busan Heritage Field Trip, a tour of heritage cites reflecting the city's status as the provisional capital during the 1950-53 Korean War, at the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, Provisional Capital Memorial Hall and traditional markets.
The World Heritage Field Trip will explore the UNESCO-inscribed sites Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace in Daegok-ri, or pre-historic engravings on rock surfaces of Daegokcheon River in Ulsan, and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
Foreign attendees can get the limited-edition Visit Busan Pass and visit a city tourism promotion center. Shuttle bus service will take people to Gimhae International Airport, Busan Station and accommodations during arrival and departure to ensure safe and hassle-free travel.
The procession reenactment of Joseon Tongsinsa, a Joseon Dynasty delegation to Japan, is set for July 26 at the outdoor plaza of the convention center BEXCO in Busan's Haeundae-gu District. Shown is the reenactment held in April 2026. (Korea Heritage Service)
A host of cultural events throughout the city will welcome the public as well as committee delegates.
The Korea Heritage Service will run the cultural pavilion K-Heritage House from July 20-29 at Exhibition Center 1 of the convention center BEXCO, featuring 45 exhibitions and interactive programs. The Busan Promotion Pavilion organized by the municipal government will also showcase the city's past and future.
A reenactment of the procession of Joseon Tongsinsa, referring to Joseon Dynasty envoys dispatched to Japan centuries ago, will be held at the outdoor plaza of BEXCO. A program of experiencing a Joseon Tongsinsa vessel is also scheduled at the cruise terminal of Yongho Bay.
"Busan Wartime Capital Heritage Night" at Yurari Square on Yeongdodaegyo Bridge will offer attractions and academic seminars.
In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation will jointly host the domestic craft exhibition "Hospitality" from July 16-30 and the Traveling Hanbok Store from July 16-22 at Shinsegae Department Store's Centum City branch.
The events will highlight Korean crafts, Hanbok (traditional clothing) and Korean lifestyle culture to delegates and visitors during the session period.
More information on schedules, programs and related events are available on the session's official website (www.48whcbusan2026.kr).
margareth@korea.kr
