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Hanji, traditional Korean paper. /Courtesy of the Korea Heritage Service

Hanji, Korea's traditional paper, is on the verge of being inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The move signals international recognition not only of traditional papermaking techniques but also of the cultural value of practices passed down by artisans and local communities working together.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced Thursday that the Evaluation Body under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage had recommended the inscription of South Korea's nomination, "Traditional Knowledge, Skills and Cultural Practices of Hanji-making." A final decision will be made at the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled to take place in Xiamen, China, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5.

Hanji is a traditional paper made from fibers extracted from the bark of the paper mulberry tree. A distinctive Korean papermaking technique known as oebal-tteugi involves scooping up a mixture of mulberry fibers, water and dakpul, a plant-based mucilage, using a bamboo screen and shaking it back and forth and from side to side. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the paper was known in China as "Goryeo paper" for its exceptional quality. Today, it is used in various fields, including cultural heritage restoration, handicrafts and household products.

What stands out in the inscription review is that hanji was evaluated not simply as a traditional manufacturing technique but as a cultural practice rooted in communities. Hanji-producing villages developed in areas where paper mulberry trees grew, and not only artisans but also local residents traditionally participated in production through pumasi, a system of reciprocal labor exchange. Attention is also being paid to hanji's potential for modern applications. Beyond its traditional use as paper, it is increasingly being used in eco-friendly materials, works of art and architectural components, presenting the dual challenges of preserving the tradition and expanding its industrial applications.

If the inscription is confirmed, hanji will become South Korea's 24th element of intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Starting with the "Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and its Music" in 2001, South Korea has had elements such as "Pansori," "Arirang," "Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (Women Divers)" and "Talchum, Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea" inscribed on the Representative List. Most recently, the "Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices Related to Jang Making in the Republic of Korea" was added in 2024.

Meanwhile, North Korea's nomination, "Taekwon-Do, traditional martial art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," has also received a recommendation for inscription. If taekwondo is added to the list, North Korea will have a total of six UNESCO intangible cultural heritage elements, following "Arirang," "Tradition of Kimchi-making," "Traditional Korean Wrestling (Ssirum/Ssireum)," which was jointly inscribed by the two Koreas, "Pyongyang Raengmyon Custom" and "Custom of Korean Costume."

After North Korea independently submitted its taekwondo nomination in 2024, the South Korean government filed a separate application in March this year and sought a joint inscription with the North. However, the effort has effectively fallen through due to circumstances including inter-Korean relations. The Korea Heritage Service maintains that it will continue pursuing either a separate inscription of South Korean taekwondo or an extension of the existing inscription to include the South Korean tradition.

                                                                                                            Jeon Hye-won