Analysis shows differing interpretations of Confucianism influenced the UNESCO listing of South Korea's academies, suggesting cultural negotiations matter in heritage approval.
The inclusion of nine Confucian academies (書院) in South Korea on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 marked the conclusion of a lengthy and controversial process that officially began in 2011. This study aims to explore how modern reinterpretations of Confucianism have led to differing understandings of the historical role of Confucian academies in China and Korea, which have enabled South Korea to register the academies as World Heritage sites. It will trace the development of different perceptions of the academies in both countries. Findings suggest that an interplay between universalist and essentialist interpretations of Confucianism contributed to both criticism and success of the South Korean application.
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Martin Gehlmann (2025) studied this question.
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