Ancient fortress remains among sites on World Heritage list

The remains of a fortress that once surrounded Kaesong, the ancient capital of Korea’s Koryo Dynasty, are among sites in North Korea that made it onto UNESCO’s World Heritage list Sunday.

North Korea’s bid to have the sites added was approved at a UNESCO meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Kaesong, just north of the border with South Korea, was the capital of the kingdom that ruled Korea from 918 to 1392. It is also where the two Koreas ran a joint factory park until tensions forced its closure in April.

Twelve sites added include the ruins of the Manwoldae palace; a 1,000-year-old academy that was the top school during that era; relics at a museum at the school; and the mausoleum of King Kongmin.