A folk version of tug-of-war practiced in South Korea has earned a spot on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Similar tugging games from Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines also received the distinction in Windhoek, Namibia, on Wednesday, as part of a joint bid for UNESCO status, reported South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.
The game of juldarigi traditionally pits two teams against each other pulling tremendous rice-straw ropes connected by a large peg.
True to its agricultural roots, the game is also intertwined with divination and folk religions, performed on the first full moon of the year in the hopes it will divine rain and good harvests.
The four countries first applied for UNESCO recognition in March 2014, suggesting the tradition promotes community cohesiveness.
However, UNESCO postponed the decision until November, requiring further information. The listing marks South Korea's 18th cultural tradition to be awarded the UNESCO status.
