(image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) will be pushing for the registration of “candlelight vigils” in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, an international initiative to protect the documentary heritage of humanity.
The historical and cultural asset division of the SMG has commissioned experts to carry out initial research to help make the listing possible.
An official at the Seoul government said that Park Won-soon, the city’s mayor, has been emphasizing the value of the candlelight vigils since last year, which led to discussions on trying to have them registered on UNESCO’s list.
The SMG intends to place focus on the vigil gatherings that led to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye while including other vigils such as the one that commemorated the Yangju highway incident in 2002 and the vigil that protested against American beef imports in 2008.
A city official also stated that this would be the first time that the city government would be pushing for a listing on the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, which is why the city had hired professionals to help officials find a clear direction in terms of strategy.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
