[2025 Audit] UNESCO World Heritage Committee Budget at Zero... Only Busan Taking Action

Preparatory Planning Team Still Not Formed With Less Than a Year Left
"Local Government Forced to Cover National Event Costs," Criticism Mounts

The government delegation is applauding as South Korea is confirmed as the host country for the next session of the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

Although less than a year remains until the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session to be held in Busan next year, it has been revealed that the National Heritage Administration, the host organization, has not secured a single cent of the budget.

On October 16, Assemblyman Jeong Yeonwook of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee criticized the National Heritage Administration during a parliamentary audit, stating, “The National Heritage Administration said it would begin budget planning in July, but in reality, it has not allocated any funds. This is irresponsible administration-securing the event but then abandoning it and shifting the financial burden onto the city of Busan.”

Due to a lack of available funds this year, the National Heritage Administration has shifted all core operating expenses for the event-including research services for promotion and the preparation of the declaration-to the city of Busan. In response, Busan has independently prepared for the event by allocating an additional budget to ensure its successful hosting.

The “Preparatory Planning Team,” which is supposed to oversee the event preparations, was scheduled to launch in July but has not been established for over two months. As a result, essential procedures such as establishing the basic plan and coordinating with the UNESCO headquarters have effectively come to a halt.

Assemblyman Jeong pointed out, “Even if the budget is finalized next year, actual execution will only be possible in January or February. The UNESCO inspection team is scheduled to visit twice, in January and April next year. Will you welcome the inspection team with no budget at all, or will you continue to rely on Busan’s funds?”

He further emphasized, “It is an abnormal structure for a local government to cover the costs of a national event with temporary funds. The National Heritage Administration must immediately prepare national-level contingency measures, such as allocating reserve funds or emergency transfers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.