Seoul: Four additional South Korean tidal flats are anticipated to be added to the existing UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, as announced by cultural heritage authorities.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body for UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, has recommended the expanded inscription of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats Phase II," as per the Korea Heritage Service (KHS).

The recommendation includes four new areas that would extend the current World Heritage site. Initially inscribed in 2021 under the name "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats," the site features four coastal wetlands known for their biodiversity and ecological importance. The new areas are located in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, and in Goheung, Muan, and Yeosu of South Jeolla Province.

If approved, the boundary of the UNESCO-listed Korean tidal flats will extend to cover the southern and western coastal wetlands. KHS plans to regroup the expanded heritage site into six designated areas. The decision regarding the nomination will be made at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled for July in Busan.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are categorized into cultural, natural, and mixed heritage. Advisory bodies like IUCN and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) evaluate member states' nominations, issuing recommendations of inscription, referral, deferral, or non-inscription. Sites recommended for "inscription" are highly likely to be approved.

The expanded listing would underscore the ecological significance of Korea's tidal flats, which are crucial habitats for migratory birds and marine life, as stated by KHS officials. South Korea currently has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Seokguram Grotto, Bulguk Temple, and Jongmyo Shrine. Recently, the petroglyphs along the Bangu Stream were added to the World Heritage list last year.

Looking ahead, the country plans to seek inscription next year for the "Capital Fortifications of Hanyang," a system of defensive walls built to protect Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty and present-day Seoul.