Since 2008, UNESCO has prioritised gender equality as a global ive since, integrating this commitment into the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). However, global policy on gender equality often falls short of achieving its intended goals, as evidenced by the underrepresentation of female-associated ICH elements on the Convention’s international lists. This study examines how gender dynamics are reflected in the national implementation of the international law, focusing on the case of South Korea. The findings indicate that the increasing participation of female ICH successors in Korea is closely linked to the internalisation of the Convention, particularly through a dedicated Act for the protection of ICH. While the decontextualisation of ICH elements has occurred due to active inventorying and nomination, ironically, this process has contributed to the gradual disappearance of gender restrictions by detaching the ICH elements from their traditionally male-dominated contexts of practice. Furthermore, the Convention has fostered acceptance of the evolving nature of ICH within domestic legislation, which in turn has enabled women’s participation to be accepted without social resistance. Nonetheless, further efforts are needed to recognise women as primary agents in ICH, rather than merely as substitutes for men.