K-pop star G-Dragon (pic) will serve as the public face of the upcoming Unesco World Heritage Committee session in Busan, officials said, as the country prepares to host the international gathering for the first time.
The Korea Heritage Service said the singer-rapper, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, was appointed as the honorary ambassador for the 48th session, which runs from July 19-29 in the southeastern port city.
“G-Dragon is an artiste with global influence extending beyond K-pop into the broader cultural and arts sphere,” the agency said in a statement, citing his role in promoting public-interest initiatives and addressing social issues.
It described him as an “ideal partner” to raise international awareness of the significance of the World Heritage Committee, a key Unesco body that decides on the inscription and protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.
South Korea will host the committee for the first time in 38 years since it joined the convention in 1988.
The 37-year-old has in recent years expanded his activities into philanthropy. In 2024, he donated his copyrights to establish the JusPeace Foundation, a public-interest organisation. He currently serves as its honorary chairman.
As part of his ambassadorial role, he will support a global campaign titled “Heritage in Peace”, to be jointly launched by the foundation and Unesco next Friday. The initiative aims to encourage participation from individuals, businesses and cities in protecting World Heritage sites.
The artiste is expected to appear in promotional videos and events linked to the campaign, delivering a message centred on “peace through culture and participation”, according to the agency.
“World heritage is a shared asset that must be protected by all humanity,” a representative for G-Dragon said, adding that the campaign seeks to inspire collective action through a message of peace. — Bernama
