Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

A Study on the Heritage Interpretation of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea for the Inscription on the World Heritage List-Based on the “Funerary and Memorial Sites of the First World War (Western Front)” 18)

A groundbreaking analysis establishes the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) as a significant 'Site of Memory,' drawing parallels with UNESCO-listed First World War memorials like those on the Western Front. The study, leveraging archival research from UN Archives and fieldwork at Belgian sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery and the Menin Gate, uncovers hidden histories central to the cemetery's heritage value. By applying interdisciplinary methods inspired by ICOMOS evaluations of European war memorials, it provides a theoretical framework for future heritage interpretation and potential UNESCO inscription. This work marks the first comprehensive examination of UNMCK’s role in global memory narratives, offering practical insights for cultural policy and academic discourse on World Heritage Sites.