The Globalization of Northern Ssireum: Heritage Preservation and the Strategic Rationale for an International Educational Framework

The inscription of Ssireum, traditional wrestling in Korea on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018 marked an important milestone in recognizing the cultural significance of Korean traditional wrestling. However, inscription alone does not guarantee the long-term survival or vitality of an intangible cultural heritage element. Sustainable preservation requires continuous education, systematic transmission, institutional cooperation, and meaningful international participation. This paper examines the strategic rationale behind the establishment of the International Northern Ssireum Federation (INSF) as a global educational platform dedicated to the preservation and international development of Northern-style Ssireum. Unlike conventional sports federations whose primary function is competition management, the INSF proposes an integrated educational model that combines heritage preservation, standardized pedagogy, international academic cooperation, and cross-cultural dialogue.