Korea to unveil best of Unesco capital for UN delegates

Representatives from The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage cities will have a golden opportunity to explore fellow heritage city Gyeongju’s unique contributions to the UN register when they visit the ancient Korean capital for the 14th World Congress of the OWHC, to be held at HICO from October 31 to November 3. The four-day congress will include trips to Gyeongju’s Unesco World Heritage sites and other attractions courtesy of the Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) division of the Korea Tourism Organization.

Founded in 1993, the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) represents 280 cities globally that contain Unesco World Heritage sites. The capital of Korea’s Silla Kingdom between 57BCE to 935CE, Gyeongju is notable for retaining much of its architectural heritage from that period, located throughout the city and earning it the nickname "the museum without walls." In 1995, the Buddhist structures of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple were the first Gyeongju properties to be added to the World Heritage List, followed by the Gyeongju Historic Areas in 2000 and Yangdong Village in 2010.