Jeju’s Haenyeo Divers Added to UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List

South Korea has another cultural property recognized by UNESCO:

Female divers of Jeju Island made it into the UNESCO’ cultural heritage list Thursday, boosting South Koreans’ hopes to preserve the traditional symbol of women’s empowerment and attract more tourists to the resort island.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Wednesday added “haenyeo,” or sea women, to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It marks Korea’s 19th cultural asset to win the world body’s heritage status.

UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage committee said the haenyeo culture shows a region’s unique cultural identity and cultural diversity. The listing is expected to raise awareness of the importance of jobs for women and promote communication with other communities with traditions similar to haenyeo, it said.

The world organization also said the haenyeo culture reflects female empowerment, best represented by haenyeo’s inclusion in the workforce.  [Yonhap]

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