▲ Baekje Historic Site.

Efforts are being accelerated towards the listing of Baekje remains scattered throughout Chungnam and Jeonbuk provinces as world heritage. Both provinces are determined to list Baekje ruins in their regions with UNESCO by 2015, by establishing a dedicated foundation in partnership with three city/county governments including Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan. If the value of what represents the glorious history of Baekje in Acient East Asia 1,500 years ago is recognized by the UN body, it will not only help raise the pride of local residents, but also stimulate local economy by attracting more tourists from home and abroad.

Currently, there are total 936 properties in 153 countries on the world heritage list. Over 70 percent (725 properties) of them are cultural, followed by natural (183) and mixed (28) properties. Listed Korean properties include Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple listed in 1995, Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon (1995), Jongmyo Shrine (1995), Changdeokgung Palace Complex (1997), Hwaseong Fortress (1997), Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000), Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000), Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (2007), Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (2009) and Hahoe and Yangdong historic villages (2010).

The island of Jeju, in particular, is home to both cultural and natural heritage.
The number one reason for nations around the world to aspire for the listing of their assets is, of course, cultural confidence and pride.

The global recognition means a better appraisal of the country at large. In addition, the ensuing funding enables better conservation and management which, in turn, leads to an increasing number of tourists, effectively creating jobs and helping local economy.

The city of Gongju took initiative for the listing of Baekje remains, starting with King Muryeong's Tomb. Gongju went for it on its own, and on September 1, 1994, the tomb made it to the tentative lists.

Later on, Chungnam got to consider other Baekje ruins scattered throughout Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan, in an integrated manner, a recognition that the numerous sites share the same temporal background, and thus grouping them together could make a stronger case, as opposed to promoting them in isolation. As a result, Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan Historic Areas, added to the tentative lists in 2010, have been consolidated into 'Baekje Historic Area'. In line with this, the Cultural Heritage Administration selected the area as a priority site on February 8, 2011.

Baekje Historic Area includes 40 sites in 11 districts in the three regions. Four districts are in Gongju (Gongsan Fortress, ancient tombs in Songsan-ri, ancient tombs in Suchon-ri and Gomanaru), while five are in Buyeo (Busosan Fortress, Jeongrimsa temple site, Naseong Fortress, Gudrae and Cheongmasan Fortress. While Iksan has only two districts (Geumma Wanggung-ri where the Mireuksa temple site is located and Ipjeom-ri), it has the largest number (21) of sites.

The efforts for the listing is coordinated by the foundation, while the sites are directly managed by respective local authorities.

The foundation, namely Baekje Historic Site World Heritage Listing Task Force, held an international seminar on 'strategies for the listing of the site with UNESCO' on February 26 in Libera Hotel, Yuseong, Daejeon, which was attended by 130 experts from home and abroad, including delegates from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

The discussions covered, among others, the current state of world heritage listings of Europe and Japan and future challenges, and the significance and historic values of Baekje Historic Area. On the eve of the seminar, ICOMOS delegates and other participants visited major sites in Baekje Historic Area including the ancient tombs in Songsan-ri, Gongju and Naseong Fortress in Buyeo and the Mireuksa temple site in Iksan.