| President Moon Jae-in, right, shakes hands with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in a meeting at the Plaza Athenee Hotel in Paris, Tuesday (local time). / Yonhap |
By Lee Min-hyung
South Korea will cooperate with UNESCO to designate the inter-Korean border region as an international conservation area, President Moon Jae-in said in a meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Tuesday (local time) in Paris.
"Areas near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) will become a wonderful natural legacy once they are designated as natural ecology protection areas," Moon told the UNESCO chief.
His remarks came as the two Koreas are speeding up their joint project to disarm the heavily-fortified border area, thereby easing military tension and bringing lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula. Seoul and Pyongyang are clearing out land mines around the DMZ under the goal of complete disarmament of the region.
Azoulay promised her unwavering support for the ongoing peace drive on the peninsula.
This is the first time the President and the UNESCO head have met with each other after the latter took office last November.
They also discussed measures to enhance partnerships in culture, education and science. Azoulay said the organization will continue engaging in activities to enhance inter-Korean communications and peace.
Speaking highly of the inter-Korean reconciliatory momentum, she also offered to partner with the two Koreas to designate ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling) on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
"It would be very meaningful for the two Koreas to join hands for the designation of ssireum on the UNESCO heritage list," Moon said.
Moon also praised UNESCO for pushing ahead with policies dedicated to helping young people and women, underscoring the need to continue extending their partnerships for peace here and abroad.
"Seven traditional Korean temples have been designated as part of UNESCO World Heritage this year, and the Korean people are pleased about that," Moon said.