Korean Embassy in China Expresses Concern Over Inclusion of Bibimbap in Jilin Province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Beijing, October 7, 2024 – The Korean Embassy in China has requested the Jilin provincial government to pay attention to the inclusion of bibimbap and traditional rice cake making techniques inits provincial intangible cultural heritage list.
Ambassador Jeong Jae-ho, the Korean Ambassador to China, revealed this during a meeting with Korean media reporters in Beijing onMonday. He stated that the embassy has been continuously urging the Chinese authorities to take note of the situation and provide assistance to the Korean side. The embassy has also established a system to monitor historical distortions and conducts systematic checks and responses on museums, textbooks, andother institutions with significant influence that pose a risk of historical distortion.
The issue gained attention last month when the Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the Jilin provincial government had approved a list of representative items for its fifth batch of provincial intangiblecultural heritage in 2021, which included Korean Bibimbap Making Techniques and Korean Traditional Rice Cake Making Techniques.
According to the Korean Daily, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Cultural Center Federation jointly produced a publication titled Korean Culture and Food, which includesbibimbap as a representative Korean dish. The publication states that bibimbap originated in Korea and has been enjoyed by Koreans for centuries.
The Korean Embassy’s concerns stem from the potential for cultural appropriation and the misrepresentation of Korean cultural heritage. The embassy believes that the inclusion of bibimbap and rice cake making techniquesin the Jilin provincial list could be interpreted as an attempt to claim these cultural practices as part of Chinese heritage.
The embassy’s statement highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding cultural heritage claims between Korea and China. Both countries have a rich history and cultural heritage, and disputes over ownership and attribution can be sensitive and complex.
The Korean Embassy’s request for the Jilin provincial government to pay attention to the situation underscores the importance of respecting and acknowledging the origins of cultural practices. It remains to be seen how the Jilin provincial government will respond to the embassy’s concerns.
References:
- Korea JoongAngDaily (2024, September 28). Jilin Province Adds Bibimbap to Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Retrieved from [link to article]
- Korean Daily (2024, October 7). Korean Embassy in China Expresses Concern Over Bibimbap Inclusion in JilinProvince List. Retrieved from [link to article]
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