Ingan-munhwage

An Ingan-munhwage (literally, human cultural asset) is a person with the ability to make or perform one of the officially designated Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea. Ingan-munhwage status is designated by the South Korean government. Intangible culture assets are organized within 108 different aspects of Korean traditional culture, from Korean traditional dance to building techniques. In Korea, the Minister of Culture and Tourism designates who has ingan-munhwage status and protects their rights. He is advised by the Cultural Heritage Committee under the Cultural Properties Protection Law. Once people are designated as an ingan-munhwage, they have rights to government support for transmission of their cultural performance and have responsibility to show that ability and train younger students. If there are no special problems, the designated ingan-munwhage expires with his or her death.

Latest developments

The latest Important Intangible Cultural Property is bun-wa-jang, a traditional Korean roof building skill, which was designated in 2008. With the designation, Lee Geon-bok was approved as an ingan-munhwage in 2008. According to Jeon Byung-hon of the Democratic Party, twelve Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea have not had any ingan-munhwage for more than 10 years.

See also

• Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
• Heritage preservation in South Korea
• Living National Treasure
• Kim Bak-young

References

• Korean Cultural Heritage Administration
• Disappearing Ingan-munhwage article