China's Jilin Province Pushes for Balhae Sites to be Listed as World Heritage... Short-form Drama Also in Production
Jilin Province in China is moving to register Balhae ruins as World Heritage sites and is producing a short-form drama about Balhae history. Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University criticized these moves as attempts to instill distorted history in the Chinese public.
Following the news that the traditional culture related to the Korean-Chinese people in Northeast China's Three Provinces has been designated as a national-level intangible cultural heritage, movements to register Balhae ruins as national heritage on the World Heritage list have also been detected. Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University stated that she confirmed the relevant details based on reports from netizens residing in China.
According to Professor Seo, the Jilin Province government website contains information regarding the promotion of applying for the registration of Balhae castle sites and ancient tomb groups as World Cultural Heritage. It is reported that specific plans have already been established and that an agency under the government is in charge of the project. The Chinese side's narrative surrounding the Balhae ruins appears to be becoming increasingly organized.
In addition, a short-form drama dealing with Balhae history is scheduled to be broadcast at the end of October. According to reports from Chinese media such as China National Radio, the Yanbian Museum in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture introduced a filming commencement ceremony for Balhae's Dae Heummu, produced by Yanbian Radio and Television Station. This work will be produced as a total of 20 episodes with a duration of 100 minutes, utilizing both actual filming and artificial intelligence synthesis methods; it is expected to be completed by the end of this month and released through platforms such as Tencent Video, Youku, and iQIYI, as well as TV channels.
Professor Seo criticized that China's intention is seen in attempting to instill distorted Balhae history into its citizens through dramas and linking this to public opinion for World Cultural Heritage registration. As historical narratives and cultural heritage registration become intertwined, the possibility of conflicts in historical interpretation among neighboring countries is likely to increase in the future. She stated that she will continue a global Balhae campaign to inform people around the world about what the problem with such actions is.
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