The tidal flats of South Korea are challenging for additional registration as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Korea Heritage Service submitted an application for the expansion of the World Heritage listing related to 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Phase II)' to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre on the 7th.
This application follows the registration of four sites—Seocheon, Gochang, Sinan, and Boseong-Suncheon tidal flats—as World Heritage sites in July 2021, marking the second occasion, with the tidal flats of Seosan, Muan, Goheung, and Yeosu being newly added.
The tidal flats of Korea are cited as a habitat for over 2,000 species, including endangered migratory birds. They were previously recognized in 2021 for their value as a habitat for migratory birds.
The Korea Heritage Service has been preparing to add targeted tidal flats for expansion registration in order to protect and enhance the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the heritage site, per the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
A representative from the Korea Heritage Service noted, "This is the first case of expansion registration in South Korea," adding that there are few cases globally and the concept of Phase II is also rare.
This application for expansion registration will undergo a completeness check (formal review) by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and will be evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a specialized review body, from March this year until 2026.
Meanwhile, South Korea first registered 'Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple,' 'Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon,' and 'Jongmyo Shrine' as World Heritage sites in 1995. The country currently has a total of 16 World Heritage sites.