Culture evangelist seeks to list 'yunnori' as UNESCO world heritage

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Tue, June 27, 2017 | 15:58

Culture evangelist seeks to list 'yunnori' as UNESCO world heritage

Posted : 2017-05-17 18:32

Updated : 2017-06-05 18:32

Kwon Chun-moon gives a speech on 'yunnori' at the National Palace Museum of Korea. / Courtesy of Kwon Chun-moon

By You Soo-sun

A Korean culture evangelist is seeking to add ‘yunnori' ― a traditional Korean board game ― to UNESCO's intangible world heritage list. Kwon Chun-moon, 75, started a petition to seek the status three years ago, with a goal of collecting 1 million signatures. Since then, around 100,000 people have joined the effort but it seems no one knows and admires the game quite like Kwon.

Yunnori is a traditional game in Korea, played with one board and four rods called ‘yut.' It is now primarily played during Korea's two biggest holidays: Chuseok in fall and Lunar New Year in winter. For the rest of the year, it is mostly forgotten. But to Kwon, who heads the Center for Globalization of Korean Studies, it's more than a game of the past. It's a game that can unite people and countries, even the two Koreas.

"It brings joy, which in turn brings people together. When hearts come together, even Korean reunification may be possible."

During the heyday of the two Koreas' relations under the Kim Dae-jung administration, he attempted to organize an event, where people from the two countries would come together to play yunnori.

"When we are on good terms with North Korea, I would like to give it another try," he said.

For now, it could be used in other, closer settings. "People used to play the game at home. It was a source of harmony for families ― parents and kids alike."

Just as at home, it may be used to unite citizens.

"People are divided over ideology. It may be hard to come to agreement on anything when you hold fundamentally different views. So let's all just play together. There's nothing better than playing a game to become one."

Kwon wishes more people would share his view. He has many ideas to spread the game ― holding a nationwide competition is one.

Promoting the game through public schools across the nation is another.

"Kids these days are confronted by many distractions, like cell phones and the internet. Yunnori can help them become more focused. Also, it allows them to just run around and play together."

He also expressed his frustration with the government for not helping to obtain world heritage status.

"Lack of awareness, but moreover the lack of desire to know, have prevented government action," he said.

Collecting 1 million signatures is a part of his effort to raise awareness.

"A million signatures would mean 1 million people have learned of its value."

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