A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in accordane with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage declared in 1972.
Announcement of Inscription of the Baekje Historic Areas
on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Located in the mountainous mid-western region of the Republic of Korea, the three cities that were the capital of Baekje contain historical sites that provide a glimpse into the ancient kingdom of Baekje, whose culture flourished through interchanges with the neighboring regions.
Baekje, one of the early three kingdoms on the Korean peninsula, existed for 700 years from 18 BC until its fall in AD 660. The Baekje Historic Areas consist of eight archaeological sites found across three regions: Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan.
They are Gongsanseong Fortress and the Ancient Tombs in Songsan-ri, which are associated with Ungjin (present-day Gongju); the Archaeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri associated with Sabiseong Fortress, Busosanseong Fortress, Jeongnimsa Temple Site, and Ancient Tombs in Neunggsan-ri and Naseong Fortress associated with Sabi (present-day Buyeo); and the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri and the Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan associated with the second capital of Baekje during the Sabi periodl. Together these sites present the history of the Baekje Kingdom spanning from 475 to 660.
The Baekje Historic Areas testify to the adoption and refinement of Chinese principles by Baekje when it comes to urban planning, architectural technology, arts and religion as well as the subsequent transmission of these principles that it redefined to Japan and other parts of East Asia.
국가상징
