July 19 (Asia Today) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Sunday that UNESCO’s mission reflects independence leader Kim Koo’s vision of using cultural strength to promote peace and unity.
“The spirit of UNESCO’s Constitution points in exactly the same direction as the insight of Kim Koo, who sought to realize peace through culture and bring humanity together,” Lee said.
“We will carry forward his vision by becoming a country that contributes to global peace and prosperity through the power of a flourishing culture,” he said.
Lee made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the southeastern port city of Busan.
He said it was meaningful that South Korea was hosting the committee session in the year marking the 150th anniversary of Kim’s birth.
Kim, widely known by his pen name Baekbeom, was a prominent leader of Korea’s independence movement during Japanese colonial rule. He advocated for Korea to become a culturally influential nation rather than one defined primarily by military or economic power.
Lee described World Heritage sites as a foundation for peace and international cooperation that connects people across borders and generations.
“World Heritage is not simply a collection of relics from the past,” Lee said. “It is a symbol that unites humanity across national boundaries and generations and provides a solid foundation for countries to practice peace and cooperation.”
He said jointly remembering and preserving cultural heritage allows countries to respect one another’s history while strengthening trust and solidarity among the international community.
Lee also emphasized the role of culture in an era of deepening conflict and division.
“The more the world suffers from conflict and division, the more valuable dialogue through culture becomes,” he said. “Culture is the most powerful force for helping people understand and empathize with one another, transcending every language and border.”
Lee said South Korea has emerged as a major cultural power whose stories entertain and move audiences around the world.
He pledged that the country would help protect humanity’s cultural heritage and contribute to global peace and prosperity.
Lee also noted Busan’s historical significance. The city served as South Korea’s provisional capital during the 1950-53 Korean War and was a major gateway for international assistance.
“Busan demonstrates through its own history how cooperation from the international community can transform the destiny of a city and a nation,” he said.
Earlier Sunday, Lee met UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany in Busan to discuss expanding cooperation in education, science and culture.
“South Korea developed with UNESCO’s assistance and has now become a country that contributes to the world,” Lee said. “South Korea will continue to make meaningful contributions through UNESCO’s work.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260719010006673
