(left) Han Bok-ryeo, a recognized “Important Intangible Cultural Property” of Korea (right) Sinseonno, one of the Korean traditional recipes (Photos courtesy of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine)


The Korean government is seeking to have Korean traditional cuisine, also known as Hansik, listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea formed a committee to develop and implement an action plan to promote Korean traditional cuisine, and held its first strategic meeting on July 1. The meeting was attended by a number of distinguished specialists, including Han Bok-ryeo, a recognized “Important Intangible Cultural Property” of Korea for her knowledge of Joseon dynasty court cuisine.

During the meeting, the committee members discussed ways to register “Korean Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty” in the UNESCO intangible heritage list at the sixth UNESCO Cultural Heritage Conference in Bali, Indonesia, this November. The committee also aims to include kimchi and Korean traditional recipes on the list.

Through this initiative, the Cultural Heritage Administration seeks to introduce a comprehensive living form of Korean culinary heritage both at home and abroad, and to safeguard its transmission.

Among the culinary cultures inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity are the French gastronomy, traditional Mexican cuisine and the Mediterranean diet. As of today, Korea holds 11 UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listings.

By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer


[Source: Korea.net]