The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recommended expanding the "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" inscription to include four additional sites [1, 2].

This expansion aims to strengthen the legal protection of these ecosystems under the World Heritage Convention and recognize their global biological importance [1, 2].

The recommendation was issued on Friday, April 12, 2026 [3]. The proposed Phase II expansion would add sites located in Seosan, Chungcheong-nam-do, as well as Goheung, Muan, and Yeosu in Jeollanam-do [1, 3].

South Korea first saw the inscription of its tidal flats, known as Getbol, on the World Heritage List in 2021 [1]. The current proposal seeks to broaden that recognition to ensure a more comprehensive safeguard of the region's unique environmental characteristics.

"The Committee’s recommendation reflects the outstanding universal value of Korea’s tidal flats and their importance for biodiversity," Kim Hyun-woo, spokesperson for the Korea Heritage Service, said [2].

The Korea Heritage Service provided the initial recommendation to the committee to facilitate the growth of the protected area. The agency views the expansion as a necessary step to preserve the ecological integrity of the coastline.

"Expanding the Getbol inscription will help safeguard these critical habitats for future generations," Lee Sun-hee, senior researcher at the Korea Heritage Service, said [1].

A final decision on the expansion will be made during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee [3]. That meeting is scheduled for July 2026 and will be hosted in Busan, South Korea [3].

“The Committee’s recommendation reflects the outstanding universal value of Korea’s tidal flats and their importance for biodiversity.”

The potential expansion of the Getbol inscription signifies a strategic move by South Korea to elevate its environmental conservation profile on the global stage. By securing UNESCO status for these additional tidal flats, the government gains international leverage and standardized frameworks to protect biodiversity against industrial development and climate change.