"Naebanggasa" and "Modern Korean Dictionary Manuscripts" Selected as National Candidates for UNESCO Memory of the World Heritage

The National Hangeul Museum announced on November 24 that "Naebanggasa" and the "Modern Korean Dictionary Manuscripts," which were submitted for inscription as UNESCO Memory of the World heritage, have been selected as Korea’s national candidates. The final decision on their inscription is expected to be made at the UNESCO Executive Board meeting to be held in France in the first half of 2027.

Banjo Hwajeonga. Provided by the National Hangeul Museum

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"Naebanggasa" is a record that demonstrates the dissemination of written language led by women, who were socially disadvantaged. Historically, the spread of literacy was typically led by the state, religious groups, or the intellectual class. However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, women either together or individually copied "Naebanggasa" or listened to its recitation, naturally acquiring literacy skills and opportunities to create their own lyrics.

The "Modern Korean Dictionary Manuscripts" are a representative Hangeul heritage that testifies to efforts to preserve the mother tongue and establish national identity during the Japanese colonial period. The application for inscription was led by the Hangeul Society, with cooperation from the National Hangeul Museum. The application materials consist of one volume of the "Malmoi Manuscript" held by the National Hangeul Museum, and 18 volumes of the "Joseonmal Keunsajeon Manuscript" held by the Hangeul Society, the Independence Hall of Korea, and the Dongsung Academic Foundation. The "Malmoi Manuscript" is the first modern Korean dictionary manuscript in Korea, written around 1910 to 1912 by Ju Sigyeong and his student Kim Dubong, with only one volume, covering entries from "ㄱ" to "Galjuk," surviving today. The "Joseonmal Keunsajeon Manuscript" demonstrates the achievements of modern Korean linguistics and was compiled by the Korean Language Society. Only the manuscripts written from the 1930s to 1942 were submitted for inscription.

Kang Jeongwon, Director of the National Hangeul Museum, stated, "Through systematic research and preservation of 'Naebanggasa' and the 'Modern Korean Dictionary Manuscripts,' we will further expand the cultural potential of our language and script, and continue to promote the globalization of Hangeul cultural heritage."

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