Flag of Republic of Korea Republic of Korea


The Republic of Korea became a State Party to the World Heritage Convention in 1988. With 17 inscribed properties, the country is one of the more prominent contributors to the World Heritage List. The Republic of Korea ranks 16th worldwide and 6th in Asia by number of World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Republic of Korea as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 14, 1988

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1997-2003, 2005-2009, 2013-2017, 2023-2027

Total of Mandate Years: 18

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Republic of Korea.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

1995
Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
1995
Jongmyo Shrine
1995
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple
1997
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
1997
Hwaseong Fortress
2000
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
2000
Gyeongju Historic Areas
2007
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2009
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
2010
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
2014
Namhansanseong
2015
Baekje Historic Areas
2018
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea
2019
Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
2021
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
2023
Gaya Tumuli
2025
Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream

Tentative World Heritage Sites (13)

  • Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Extension) · submitted: May 25, 2023
  • Sites of the Busan Wartime Capital · submitted: May 16, 2023
  • Archaeological Remains at the Hoeamsa Temple Site in Yangju City · submitted: July 20, 2022
  • Stone Buddhas and Pagodas at Hwasun Unjusa Temple · submitted: January 24, 2017
  • Capital Fortifications of Hanyang : Hangyangdoseong Capital City Wall, Bukhansanseong Mountain Fortress and Tangchundaeseong Defense Wall · submitted: November 23, 2012
  • Naganeupseong, Town Fortress and Village · submitted: March 11, 2011
  • Oeam Village · submitted: March 11, 2011
  • Upo Wetland · submitted: January 11, 2011
  • Salterns · submitted: January 11, 2010
  • Ancient Mountain Fortresses in Central Korea · submitted: January 11, 2010
  • Sites of fossilized dinosaurs throughout the Southern seacoast · submitted: January 25, 2002
  • Kangjingun Kiln Sites · submitted: September 1, 1994
  • Mt. Soraksan Nature Reserve · submitted: September 1, 1994

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Republic of Korea

Official Name: Republic of Korea

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Eastern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Seoul

Population (2024): 51,751,065

Land Area: 97,600 km²

Currency: South Korean won (KRW)

Country Data Sources

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

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