South Korea’s Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream and North Korea’s Mountain Kumgang have been newly inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

This marks the first time that cultural heritages from both South and North Korea have been listed together. Given North Korea’s recent efforts to boost tourism through the inscription of natural heritage sites, attention is turning to how Mountain Kumgang’s World Heritage designation might influence future inter-Korean cultural exchanges and cooperation.

At the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently underway in Paris, France, UNESCO officially inscribed the Mountain Kumgang on July 13 (local time), following the inscription of Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream the previous day.

Designated as South Korea’s 17th World Heritage site, the petroglyphs are considered a quintessential example of prehistoric culture on the Korean Peninsula. Located in Ulsan’s Ulju County, the site includes two National Treasures: The Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace in Daegok-ri and the Petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri.

The World Heritage Committee praised the site, saying, “The realistic images and unique compositions, drawn with exceptional observational skill, demonstrate the artistic sensibility of people who once lived on the Korean Peninsula.” It added, “The rare theme of various whale species and the stages of whaling, captured through prehistoric creativity, represents a true masterpiece. The site provides unparalleled evidence of a rock art tradition that spanned some 6,000 years, and offers a concentrated view of cultural development along Korea’s southeastern coastal region.”

However, the Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream face ongoing threats from water damage, as they are repeatedly submerged due to a dam built in 1965. Concerns remain about long-term preservation, though the inscription is expected to serve as a turning point for establishing comprehensive conservation measures.

Mountain Kumgang, now North Korea’s third UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its stunning landscapes that change with the seasons, earning it the nickname “the most scenic mountain under heaven.” The site was recognized not only for its outstanding natural beauty but also for its cultural significance as a sacred place in Korean Buddhist tradition. Although North Korea initially applied for Mountain Kumgang to be listed as a mixed heritage site, UNESCO’s advisory body recommended that, “aside from the Haemamulsang and Chongseokjeong areas, the rest of the mountain be designated as a cultural landscape.”

The World Heritage Committee noted, “Mountain Kumgang is a cultural landscape that blends unique landforms and scenery with Korean traditions of pilgrimage and mountain worship,” and highlighted the site as “an exceptional representation of Korea’s centuries-old tradition of mountain Buddhism.”

South Korea has now registered a total of 17 World Heritage sites, beginning with Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, the Janggyeong Panjeon at Haeinsa Temple, and Jongmyo Shrine in 1995. North Korea now has three listed sites: the Complex of Koguryo Tombs in 2004, the Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong in 2013, and now Mountain Kumgang.