Fact Check: "Joint UNESCO listing for taekwondo was first discussed during a thaw in relations."
What We Know
The claim that the idea of a joint UNESCO listing for taekwondo was first discussed during a thaw in inter-Korean relations is supported by multiple sources. Specifically, discussions regarding this joint listing began in 2018, a period characterized by improved diplomatic relations between North and South Korea. During this time, World Taekwondo (WT) President Choue Chung-won and International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) President Ri Yong-son signed a joint agreement in Pyongyang, which laid the groundwork for collaborative efforts to inscribe taekwondo as an intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO (Korea Times).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust. The discussions about the joint UNESCO listing for taekwondo indeed took place in 2018, coinciding with a notable thaw in inter-Korean relations, marked by several diplomatic engagements and cultural exchanges. This period saw the successful joint inscription of Korean wrestling (ssireum) as a UNESCO heritage, which served as a model for the proposed taekwondo listing (Korea Times).
However, the momentum for this initiative has since stalled due to deteriorating relations, particularly after North Korea's revocation of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement. This has led to a significant reduction in inter-Korean communication and collaboration, which is crucial for such joint cultural initiatives (NK News).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Korea Times and NK News being reputable news outlets that cover Korean affairs extensively. They provide detailed accounts of the political context surrounding the discussions and the implications of the stalled negotiations.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the joint UNESCO listing for taekwondo was first discussed during a thaw in relations is accurate. The discussions indeed began in 2018 during a period of improved inter-Korean relations, as evidenced by formal agreements and collaborative efforts between the two Koreas. The subsequent decline in relations has hindered progress on this initiative, but the initial discussions clearly align with the claim.
