South Korea has submitted applications to UNESCO seeking recognition for two significant cultural treasures: manuscripts of the country's first modern Korean dictionaries and a unique collection of women's literature from the Joseon Dynasty. The Korea Heritage Service announced on November 21 that it has formally applied to have these invaluable documents inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
The dictionary manuscripts include two groundbreaking works that played a crucial role in preserving Korean language and culture. The collection features the single-volume "Malmoi" (Gathering of Words), written between 1911 and 1914, and the first draft of the comprehensive 18-volume Korean Language Dictionary, which was developed from 1929 to 1957. These works are widely regarded as the world's first modern Korean dictionaries and represent a pivotal moment in Korean linguistic history.
Both dictionary projects emerged as part of a broader national movement to preserve the Korean language and establish national identity during the Japanese colonial period from 1910 to 1945. During this challenging era, Korean scholars and intellectuals worked tirelessly to maintain their cultural heritage while also expanding educational opportunities for their fellow citizens. These dictionaries served not only as linguistic resources but also as symbols of cultural resistance and national pride.
The second nomination, "Naebang Gasa" (Songs of the Inner Chambers), represents a uniquely Korean literary genre created and preserved by women. This collection refers to songs that were sung by women of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) in the naebang, or women's quarters, of traditional Korean homes. The literary works were handwritten and carefully passed down from generation to generation through women's gatherings and social networks.
The submitted "Naebang Gasa" collection is remarkably comprehensive, containing 567 cases of lyrics that were composed and sung by women across multiple generations spanning from 1794 to the late 1960s. This extensive collection provides invaluable insights into women's experiences, thoughts, and artistic expressions over nearly two centuries of Korean history.
Scholars and cultural experts have praised "Naebang Gasa" for its unique historical and literary significance. The collection demonstrates how women from diverse social and economic backgrounds successfully formed their own literary communities and took leadership roles in creative expression and cultural transmission, even within the constraints of a predominantly male-dominated society. This women-centered literary tradition challenges conventional narratives about gender roles in traditional Korean society.
The UNESCO International Advisory Committee for the Memory of the World Programme will now conduct a thorough review of both submissions. The evaluation process will assess the historical significance, authenticity, and global importance of these Korean cultural treasures. The final decision regarding their inscription in the Memory of the World Register will be announced at UNESCO's executive board meeting scheduled for the first half of 2027 in France.
