Yangju to Host International Academic Conference on Hoiamsa Temple Site Ahead of World Heritage Inscription

Yangju City will host an international academic conference on the 29th with the theme "World Heritage Value and Preservation of Yangju Hoiamsa Temple Site: Authenticity and Integrity of Archaeological Heritage."

The academic conference, held at the Olympia Hall of Seoul Olympic Parktel, aims to explore the preservation management direction and academic foundation for World Heritage inscription, focusing on the authenticity and integrity of the Yangju Hoiamsa Temple Site archaeological heritage.

At the academic conference, Professor Emeritus Bae Gi-dong of Hanyang University (former director of the National Museum of Korea) will deliver a keynote speech on the theme of "Authenticity of Archaeological Heritage and World Heritage Value."

Subsequently, Shin Hee-kwon, Executive Director of ICOMOS Headquarters (Professor at Seoul City University), will serve as the chair and conduct a comprehensive discussion. The conference will share preservation experiences of archaeological heritage and explore implications that can be applied to the preservation management and world heritage value of the Hoiamsa Temple Site.

The Yangju Hoiamsa Temple Site is a representative archaeological heritage of Korea that served as a center of royal and Buddhist culture from the late Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty. Recognized for its historical and cultural value, it passed the preliminary assessment for World Heritage inscription in October 2026, marking significant progress toward world heritage designation.

A Yangju City official stated, "This academic conference is an opportunity to share preservation cases and research achievements of archaeological heritage both domestically and internationally, and to closely examine the outstanding historical and cultural value of the Hoiamsa Temple Site. We will further strengthen the foundation for preservation management of the Hoiamsa Temple Site and continue our efforts toward World Heritage inscription."