The remains of the ancient kingdom of Baekje have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
 
During the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany on Saturday, UNESCO inscribed the Baekje Historic Areas.
 
UNESCO said the ancient areas are made up of eight archaeological sites dating from 475 to 660 C.E. in Gongju and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province and in Iksan, North Jeolla Province.
 
UNESCO assessed that “these sites represent the later period of the Baekje kingdom during which time they were at the crossroads of considerable technological, religious, cultural and artistic exchanges between the ancient East Asian kingdoms in Korea, China and Japan.”
 
With the designation, the Baekje remains have become South Korea’s 12th inscription on the UNESCO world heritage list.
 
The Cultural Heritage Administration and local governments plan to carry out restoration and maintenance projects at the historic areas through 2030.