UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Introduction
UNESCO listed intangible cultural heritage is also protected as national intangible cultural heritage (excluding falconry). You can check the extensive national intangible cultural heritage listings for detailed descriptions or click on the names below. Please note that the name of the national intangible cultural heritage listing may differ from that of the UNESCO listing. The national intangible cultural heritage listing may also contain regional or other variations and details of these are provided in list format below.
Arirang (2012)
Cheoyongmu (2009)
Daemokjang (2010)
Falconry, a living human heritage (2021)
Gagok (2010)
Ganggangsullae (2009)
Gangneung Danoje Festival (2008)
Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeeunggut (2009)
Jeju Haenyo Culture (2016)
Jang making knowledge, beliefs and practices (2024)
Jongmyo Shrine ancestral ritual and music (2008)
The KHS National Intangible Cultural Heritage lists the ritual and music separately:
Jongmyo Jerye (ritual)
Jongmyo Jeryeak (music)
Jultagi (2011)
Kimjang (2013)
Mosi weaving (2011)
Namsadang Nori (2009)
Nongak (2014)
The KHS National Intangible Cultural Heritage listing specifies eight regional performances:
Pansori (2008)
Taekkyeon (2011)
Talchum (2022)
Talchum is a broad term used to describe a mask dance, but regional name variations exist. Although UNESCO uses this broad term, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) individually names each mask dance that is protected as national intangible cultural heritage. You can click on each of the listings below to find out more.
Traditional Korean Wrestling (2018)
Tugging Rituals and Games (2015)
The National Intangible Cultural Heritage listing specifies two regional tugging rituals:
Yeondeunghoe (2020)
Yeongsanjae (2009)
Arirang (2012)
Lyrical folk song.
Cheoyongmu (2009)
Court dance.
Daemokjang (2010)
Traditional wooden architecture.
Falconry, a living human heritage (2021)
A joint application by the UAE, Austrlia, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain and the Syrian Arab Republic. Not protected specifically as South Korea intangible cultural heritage.
Gagok (2010)
Lyrical song cycles with orchestral accompaniment.
Ganggangsullae (2009)
Seasonal harvest and fertility ritual.
Gangneung Danoje Festival (2008)
Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeeunggut (2009)
Jeju Haenyo Culture (2016)
Jang making knowledge, beliefs and practices (2024)
Jongmyo Shrine ancestral ritual and music (2008)
The Jongmyo Jerye ritual and the Jongmye Jeryeak music.
Jultagi (2011)
Tightrope walking.
Kimjang (2013)
Making and sharing kimchi.
Mosi weaving (2011)
Namsadang Nori (2009)
Folk performance.
Nongak (2014)
Community band music, dance and rituals - see Jinju Samcheon Po Nongak, Pyeongtaek Nongak, Iri Nogak, Gangneung Nongak, Imsil Pilbong Nongak, Gurye Jansu Nongak, Gimcheon Geumneung Binnae Nongak and Namwon Nongak.
Pansori (2008)
Epic chant.
Taekkyeon (2011)
Traditional martial art.
Talchum (2022)
Mask dance drama - see Bongsan Talchum, Eunyul Talchum and Gangnyeong Talchum.
Traditional Korean Wrestling (2018)
Tugging Rituals and Games (2015)
A joint application by Cambodia, Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam - see Gijisi Juldarigi and Yeongsan Juldarigi.
Yeondeunghoe (2020)
Lotus Lantern Festival.
Yeongsanjae (2009)
Buddhist re-enactment.
References/Further Reading
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Korea National Commission for UNESCO (2026) Intangible Cultural Heritage.