Korea taps traditional Korean musician to direct UNESCO World Heritage session
Korea Heritage Service Administrator Huh Min, left, and Won Il pose at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, Friday. Won was appointed as executive creative director for official events at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service Administrator
Korea Heritage Service said Monday it appointed Won Il as executive creative director for official events at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, to be held in Busan in July.
Won, a certified practitioner of classical piri (a double-reeded bamboo wind instrument) solo and military band music — both nationally designated intangible heritage forms — will oversee the production of key events, including the opening ceremony on July 19 and the closing ceremony, the agency said. T
The appointment was formalized Friday at the National Palace Museum of Korea, where Korea Heritage Service Administrator Huh Min presented the letter of appointment.
Won is recognized for blending traditional Korean music with contemporary and interdisciplinary performance. He has built a career spanning both traditional and modern genres, the agency said.
He previously served as executive creative director for the 2019 National Sports Festival and as artistic director of the ACC World Music Festival from 2024 to 2026.
“It is an honor to serve as executive creative director for the World Heritage Committee, which is being held in Korea for the first time since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988,” Won said.
“I will do my best to showcase the beauty of K-heritage and express values that resonate with the international community,” he added.
Huh said “This event is an opportunity to promote Korea’s status as a cultural leader.” He added, “At a time of heightened global interest in Korean culture, we hope this production will leave a lasting impression by connecting the past and future of K-culture.”
The agency said it will continue preparations across sectors to ensure the successful hosting of the World Heritage Committee, now about 100 days away.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.