Path to declaring Busan, a Refuge Capital during the Korean War, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: evolving perceptions of modern heritage and the meaning of preserving living heritage

Busan, Korea’s oldest “modern” city, has a rich history of trade and culture since its opening in 1876. During the Korean War (1950–1953), it served as the wartime capital following the capture of Seoul. This study explores the evolving meaning of Busan’s modern heritage by analyzing key sites such as the Busan Regional Customs building, the Gyeongnam Provincial Office, and the redesigned Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, alongside efforts to inscribe the Busan Wartime Capital on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once seen as remnants of modernization or conflict, these sites have gained new significance and now face tensions between preservation and reuse. Shaped by diverse actors, they reflect values of historicity, convergence, and inclusiveness. A review of UNESCO inscription trends shows a shift from monumental buildings to broader cultural landscapes. In response, this study highlights the need to view the area comprehensively and proposes block-level heritage district designation to better represent the landscape shaped by wartime refugees. By identifying Busan as living heritage, this study contributes to broader discussions on how modern spaces are reinterpreted to shape inclusive and sustainable heritage futures.