최근 중국의 발해 수도 상경용천부유적의 세계유산 등재 움직임과 가능성 검토

Abstract

In recent international relations, as soft power becomes increasingly important, there has been fierce competition to have a country’s heritage included in the World Heritage list. Currently, China ranks second after the United States in UNESCO contributions and also holds the second position in terms of the number of World Heritage sites, following Italy. China’s efforts towards the World Heritage sites stem from various reasons such as enhancing its international status and influence, economic benefits, and fostering a sense of national unity among its people. Among these efforts, including the historical and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in the World Heritage sites is to substantiate China’s claim of the true essence of the “Chinese nation,” which it asserts as a material cultural heritage. Moreover, it serves the significant purpose of being utilized as a symbol for achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” aiming at national unity and territorial integration. As a result, when it comes to heritage sites with historical and cultural significance to neighboring countries and ethnicities from the pre-modern era, conflicts in historical interpretation are almost inevitable. A prominent example is the inclusion of the Goguryeo relics in 2004, which sparked serious diplomatic tensions between Korea and China. Subsequently, when news spread that China intended to nominate the Balhae relics for World Heritage status, it garnered significant attention from Korea. However, as China showed no significant progress thereafter, interest peaked around 2012 and then waned. Recently, though, references to the Balhae’s Sanggyeong Yongcheonbu relics in official Chinese documents concerning World Heritage have been confirmed. Therefore, the author examined China’s movements and potential for the inclusion of the Balhae’s Sanggyeong Yongcheonbu relics as a World Heritage site, in preparation for its possible nomination. As a result, it was confirmed that China has been steadily preparing for the inclusion of the Sanggyeong Yongcheonbu relics as a World Heritage site, and some predictions could be made regarding the direction and manner in which the nomination would be pursued. Furthermore, South Korea proposed an alternative approach, suggesting cooperation with North Korea and Russia, where the Balhae relics are located, to nominate them as a Transnational World Heritage(Transboundary Heritage) Site rather than China’s unilateral nomination. Additionally, it was emphasized that World Heritage listing could contribute to the prevention of heritage destruction and conservation efforts, highlighting the realistic approach of striving for proper nomination in the right direction through cooperation between Korea and China.