National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea With no salt mines available in the country, seawater has long been the only source of salt in Korea. There were two principle traditional methods of salt production. Jayeom, or "boiled salt," was obtained by securing brine with a high concentration of salt from mudflats and boiling it down to salt crystals. The jayeom method, the oldest surviving records of which date back to the Goryeo Dynasty, was applied throughout the Joseon era. Cheonilyeon, or "solar salt," was introduced to Korea in 1907 and has been practiced until today. It refers to salt produced by simply evaporating seawater in the sun and wind. These two traditional Korean methods of salt manufacturing are distinct for their production in mudflats. Korean sea salt produced from mudflats, or cheonilyeom, accounts for a whopping 86 percent of the global production of mudflat sea salt. Salt in Korea has developed distinctive associations with traditional beliefs due to its use as protection against fire or evil spirits. Further studies of the labor structure and manufacturing methods of traditional salt are expected to boost our understanding of the culture of Korean fishing villages and the ecology of Korean mudflats. The salt-producing mudflats along the western coast of the Korean Peninsula are also renowned for their views at sunset. * As traditional salt making is not confined to any particular region or individual, no holders or holder groups have been recognized for this element.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Tidal flats, nicknamed "sea fields" in Korea, have long provided an important source of livelihoods for local people. The traditional practice of maintaining tidal flats as communal property has been transmitted to the present in the form of village cooperatives. Korean tidal flats are a treasure trove of diverse ocean resources and have held a disproportionate influence over the formation and development of the nation’s diet. \t The practice of harvesting shellfish and other invertebrate animals in coastal wetlands enjoys a long and steady history on the Korean Peninsula. The western and southern coastal areas have produced many large shell middens dating to the New Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages all the way to the Goryeo Dynasty. Written records on tidal flat harvesting can be found in a book on seafood from the Joseon period—Jasan eobo by the Practical Learning scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (1758–1816). Tidal flat harvesting involves a number of performative rites, enriching Korean culture and traditions. The most well-known community tradition associated with it is the gaet je, a seasonal festival praying for a good harvest. In addition, there are separate community rituals for predicting the quantity of the catch or to celebrate a good harvest. Tidal flat harvesting has been designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the following reasons: It possesses a time-honored history with many active transmission communities over an extensive area; This history is supported by written records from at least the Joseon period; The diverse skills and techniques manifested in tidal flat harvesting hold great potential for academic research; There are many unique rites and festivals associated with tidal flat harvesting; The practice shows great local diversity through, for example, the different tools applied; and It continues to serve as an important source of livelihoods in Korean communities. As tidal flat harvesting is being transmitted across the western and southern coastal areas in many villages, no particular individuals or organizations have been recognized as official holders of this element.