The Committee
- Takes note that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has nominated Custom of Korean costume: traditional knowledge, skills and social practices in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (No. 02096) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
The Korean costume is an outfit comprised of a jacket and a woman’s skirt or men’s trousers. It is completed with seasonal overclothes, including an overcoat and a waistcoat, and may include other accessories such as a breast ribbon. The costume is created using natural fabrics such as silk, ramie and cotton. The related knowledge and skills involve design, cutting, needlework, embroidery or drawing, printing of geometric and natural patterns, and decoration with accessories and precious metals or stones. Often referenced in art and literature, the Korean costume is used on many occasions, including birthdays, weddings, festivals and holidays. Women are the leading bearers and practitioners devoted to the costume creation and transmission in shops, within families and in the fields of education and research. Generally, a chief craftswoman coordinates cooperation between craftspeople. The related knowledge and skills, including ways of wearing, keeping and mending the costume, are transmitted within families. In Korean costume shops, knowledge and skills regarding design, cutting, sewing and embroidery are transmitted from experts to apprentices through demonstration and hands-on training. The element is also transmitted through media, during cultural events and in schools. The Korean costume brings people together, instilling a sense of cultural belonging, identity and continuity.
- Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
R.1: The Korean costume is created using natural fabrics such as silk, ramie and cotton. It is comprised of a jacket and a woman’s skirt or men’s trousers worn along with seasonal overclothes. Women are the leading bearers and practitioners and are involved in the creation of the costume and the transmission of the element. Women and men, both young and old, wear the costume. Many men are also involved in costume creation, education and research. The transmission of knowledge and related skills occurs between masters and their apprentices, and within families, shops and communities. It is also transmitted formally through education and research, the media and in schools. The element promotes unity and instils a sense of cultural belonging, identity and continuity, thus promoting social cohesion.
R.2: The element contributes to several aspects of sustainable development. It fosters a sense of cultural identity and social cohesion among people, while enhancing the visibility and diversity of intangible cultural heritage in general. The nomination file highlights women’s active role in the element. The ongoing demand for costumes and the increasing number of costume shops contributes to economic development, as does the use of local fabrics such as silk. Costume shops, families and educational institutions at all levels contribute to quality formal and informal education, facilitating a deeper understanding of the element among younger generations. The element also promotes dialogue and underscores the link between creativity and traditional knowledge and skills.
R.3: The submitting State established a temporary organization to address the risks of negative aspects that may arise, including potential over-commercialization of the element following its inscription and to promote good practices. In order to support the transmission of the element, the State Party will regularly update the national heritage website and add features to support online communication with bearers. The State Party will also organize excursions to costume shops for younger community members, and it will ensure technical, financial and administrative support, including the provision of equipment and materials for textile production, sericulture and eco-friendly initiatives. Moreover, the education commission will include the element in school curricula, and practitioners will be supported to partake in cultural events.
R.4: The nomination file explains the engagement of various communities, groups, and individuals in the nomination process. These include the establishment of a working group which conducted field surveys to collect free, prior and informed consent in different places across the country. Representatives of practitioners and bearers in the working group provided detailed explanations on diverse aspects of the element, including its social functions and cultural meanings, and the related practices and transmission mechanisms. They also contributed to the development and implementation of the safeguarding plans. A draft of the nomination file was shared online with the wider public, drawing feedback from women and students. The video submitted in support of the nomination was helpful in providing additional information about the element.
R.5: The element is listed on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is maintained by the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Korea National Heritage Preservation Agency, both of which are under the National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The inventory is updated every five years with the widest possible participation of bearer communities and practitioners.
- Decides to inscribe Custom of Korean costume: traditional knowledge, skills and social practices in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
- Commends the State Party for providing safeguarding measures to address possible decontextualization and over-commercialization that may happen as a result of inscription;
- Further commends the State Party for submitting an improved file that took into consideration the recommendations from the Evaluation Body in 2020.