Arirang Culture Connect, Siheung | August 8, 2025
From November 17 to 21, 2025, the University of Science and Technology’s Siheung Campus and the surrounding Turtle Island (Geobukseom) will host IP-WIN 2025: UNESCO Intangible Heritage Showcase and International Forum—a landmark event opening a new chapter in cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding.
This historic gathering will unite traditional performance groups from around the world, with Taekwondo taking center stage as a living symbol of peace and inter-Korean solidarity. The event is co-organized by the UNESCO ICH NGO Forum and Culture Masters, with operational leadership from the Kim Un-yong Sports Committee, the KOREA Taekwondo UNESCO Inscription Taskforce, the Advocacy Alliance for Culture Masters, and Culture Masters, in cooperation with the International e-Sports Committee (IEC), the International Cities of Culture Network (ICCN), and the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF).
Expected supporters include the City of Siheung, the University of Science and Technology, and the Siheung Federation of Microbusinesses.
🌐 A Historic Step Toward Shared Heritage
The heart of IP-WIN 2025 lies in the joint UNESCO inscription effort for Taekwondo by North and South Korea. A commemorative Taekwondo demonstration will showcase its philosophical artistry and cultural depth, while an international forum on “Taekwondo as Intangible Heritage” will explore its historical value, transmission systems, and collaborative nomination strategies.
Complementing these discussions, UNESCO-inscribed traditional performances from Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Peru, Mongolia, and the UAE (tentative) will present living heritage from diverse cultures.
Choi Jae-choon, Director of the KOREA Taekwondo UNESCO Inscription Taskforce, emphasized:
“Taekwondo is more than a sport—it is a living heritage that embodies Korean philosophy, spirit, and a message of peace.”
Referencing North Korea’s 2024 unilateral submission for inscription, he stressed that this is not merely an inscription matter but a fundamental issue of Korea’s historical legitimacy and cultural sovereignty, requiring solidarity across the Taekwondo community.
Ri Yong-son (left), President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), and Choi Jae-choon (right), Director of the KOREA Taekwondo UNESCO Inscription Taskforce.
Source: Kim Un-yong Sports Committee
🤝 Strategic Alliance with the UNESCO ICH NGO Forum
Recently, Dr. SeongYong Park, President of Culture Masters, and Dr. Tamara Nikolić Đerić, Chair of the UNESCO ICH NGO Forum, reached a tentative agreement to establish an official partnership for IP-WIN 2025 and decided to conduct internal reviews, while encouraging active participation of Forum-affiliated performance groups and expert delegations in future WIN Project events.
Both leaders recognized that the WIN Project represents a highly significant platform for intangible heritage artists and cultural communities worldwide, offering them opportunities to showcase their skills and traditions on a global stage and to promote mutual cultural exchange. Dr. Tamara praised the vision of the WIN Project, noting its significance for the 2026 PRE-WIN and 2028 WIN Grand Festival, and pledged to mobilize the Forum’s network of 264 accredited NGO globally to support its success.
Dr. Tamara Nikolić Đerić, Chair of the UNESCO ICH NGO Forum
🎭 Myth and Meaning: Global Narratives on Stage
Under the theme “Taekwondo and the World’s Myths – Narratives for Peace”, IP-WIN 2025 will present creation myths, oral epics, and ritual performances from seven countries, including Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Peru, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The opening performance will merge Taekwondo’s disciplined physicality with traditional storytelling, demonstrating how intangible heritage binds body, memory, and myth.
🧭 Urban Strategy and Cultural Diplomacy Through Heritage
Two major international forums will be held:
Nov 20 – Intangible Heritage and Urban Sustainability
Nov 21 – Heritage Lineages: Roots and Community Resilience
These will explore cultural innovation strategies for urban development, a Global Heritage Lineage Network, and digital safeguarding methods via the ichmasters platform.
Cho Sung-ki, President of the Siheung Federation of Microbusinesses, stated:
“This is an opportunity for Siheung to become a global hub of cultural innovation. We will work with the community to ensure meaningful, sustainable contributions.”
📌 IP-WIN 2025 Schedule Overview
Date Program Venue
Nov 17 (Mon) Afternoon – Welcome ReceptionSiheung Campus
Nov 18–19 (Tue–Wed) International Conference on Taekwondo & Intangible HeritageInternational Conference Hall
Nov 20–21 (Thu–Fri) [Performance Hall] UNESCO Intangible Heritage Performances (Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Peru, Mongolia, UAE – tentative, all UNESCO-inscribed heritage) + Special Taekwondo StagePerformance Hall
Nov 20–21 (Thu–Fri) [International Conference Hall] Forum on Urban Cultural Strategy & Heritage Lineages (Finding Our Roots)International Conference Hall
Nov 21 (Fri) Closing CeremonyPerformance Hall
📍 Venue: Performance Hall & International Conference Hall, University of Science and Technology, Siheung Campus (Siheung, Gyeonggi Province)
📨 Contact: IP-WIN 2025 Organizing Secretariat
✉️ culturemasters.1@gmail.com | ☎️ +82-2-582-3350
“A symbolic stage where Taekwondo and UNESCO heritage converge—on Turtle Island, a future of cultural solidarity begins.”