International Academic Conference on Yangju Hoiamsa Site Held on 29th for UNESCO World Heritage Inscription

Yangju City will hold an international academic conference on the 29th with the theme of 'UNESCO World Heritage Value and Conservation of Yangju Hoiamsa Site: Authenticity and Integrity of Archaeological Heritage'.

The academic conference, held at the Olympia Hall of Olympic Parktel in Seoul, aims to explore conservation management directions and academic foundations for UNESCO World Heritage inscription, focusing on the authenticity and integrity of the Yangju Hoiamsa archaeological heritage.

At the conference, Professor Emeritus Bae Gi-dong of Hanyang University (former director of the National Museum of Korea) will deliver a keynote lecture on 'Authenticity of Archaeological Heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Value'.

Subsequently, Shin Hee-kwon, vice president of ICOMOS headquarters (professor at Seoul City University), will moderate a comprehensive discussion. The event will share conservation experiences of archaeological heritage and explore implications that can be applied to the conservation management and UNESCO World Heritage value of the Hoiamsa site.

Yangju Hoiamsa Site is a representative archaeological heritage of Korea that functioned as the center of royal and Buddhist culture from the late Goryeo to early Joseon periods. Having received recognition for its historical and cultural value, it advanced toward UNESCO World Heritage inscription by passing the preliminary assessment in October 2026.

An official from Yangju City stated, "This academic conference is an opportunity to share conservation cases and research achievements of domestic and international archaeological heritage, and to deeply examine the outstanding historical and cultural value of Yangju Hoiamsa Site," and added, "We will further strengthen the foundation for conservation management of the Hoiamsa site and continue efforts toward UNESCO World Heritage inscription."