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

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

The academic conference, held at the Olympia Hall of Seoul Olympic Park Hotel, aims to explore conservation and management directions centered on the authenticity and integrity of the Yangju Hoiamsa archaeological heritage and to establish an academic foundation for UNESCO World Heritage designation.

At the conference, Bae Ki-dong, emeritus professor at Hanyang University and former director of the National Museum of Korea, will deliver a keynote lecture on the theme of "Authenticity of Archaeological Heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Value."

Following the keynote, Shin Hee-gwon, director of the ICOMOS Headquarters and professor at Seoul City University, will chair 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 heritage value of the Hoiamsa site.

Yangju Hoiamsa Historic Site is a representative archaeological heritage of Korea that functioned as the center of royal and Buddhist culture from the late Goryeo period to the early Joseon period. Recognized for its historical and cultural value, it passed the preliminary UNESCO World Heritage evaluation in October 2026, marking progress toward World Heritage designation.

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 examine in depth the outstanding historical and cultural value of Yangju Hoiamsa Historic Site. We will continue to strengthen the conservation and management foundation of the Hoiamsa site and make ongoing efforts toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage designation."