International Academic Forum <Sustainable Development of Indigenous Languages> is cohosted by the Joint Board of South and North Korea for the Compilation of Gyeoremal Keunsajeon Korean National Commission for UNESCO Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO sponsored by the Ministry of Unification and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and cooperated by UNESCO.

In October 2018, former President Jae-In Moon met with UNESCO Secretary-General Audrey Azoulay in Paris to discuss the importance of drawing attention to the Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon (Grand Korean Dictionary) and it led to the establishment of the UNESCO·Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon International Academic Forum Preparatory Committee in December 2019. Following over a year of preparation, in February 2021, the first forum was held under the theme of ‘Sustainable Development of Indigenous Languages and Collection and Documentation of Indigenous Languages.’ Subsequently, in November 2021, the second forum was convened with the theme ‘Literary Activities in Indigenous Languages,’ and in November 2022, the third forum on ‘Sustainable Development of Indigenous Languages: Literature Activities in Indigenous Languages and Provincial·Local Words Appearing in World Dictionaries’ was successfully conducted.

More than 2600 languages which is one third of the world's 7000 native languages are on the verge of extinction. The disappearance of a language means that the knowledge experience history and culture of those who use the language disappear and cannot be passed on to the next generation. Gyeoremal Keunsajeon along with UNESCO will continue its international activities to seek sustainable development of indigenous languages actively participating in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032.

Particularly, the 4th UNESCO·Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon International Academic Forum, titled ‘Sustainable Development of Indigenous Languages,’ will focus on the theme ‘Literature Activities in Indigenous Language and Construction and Utilization of Indigenous Language Data.’ Opening the event during the first session, the topic ‘Literature activities in indigenous languages for sustainable development’ will feature presentations by authors from Korea, Japan(Okinawa), Kenya, and Peru, sharing their creative works and processes in indigenous languages. In the subsequent second session, discussion will revolve around the theme ‘Construction and utilization of indigenous language data.’ The 4th UNESCO·Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon International Academic Forum aims to foster the sustainable preservation and continuation of indigenous languages beyond the documentation of their collection, by means of creative works and their appreciation. The Forum seeks to secure international support and empathy for language preservation and diversity initiatives.