Let's Preserve the Cultural Heritage: UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Korea

[The beautifully lit up Changdeok Palace at night (Source:NEWSIS)]

The stress put onto the importance that lies around the passing of our cultural inheritance from our ancestors to our future heirs, is something that we cannot forget. At this time we are going to take a look into the written and recorded historical assets, natural assets that do not include artistic intangible cultural assets of Korea.

The Brilliance of World Heritage from Korea

Korea has 10 items that have been included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. Dharma or Buddha's teachings, Royal Jongmyo Shrine, Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, Changdeok Palace, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites, Gyeongju Historic Areas, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, and we also have the Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong. Shall we uncover what kind of great price these Korean Heritage items hold?

Changdeok Palace

In the middle of Seoul's Jongno area lays a palace where the east is met by Changgyeong Palace, which was occupied during the Joseon era. During the Joseon era, it was referred to as the "East Palace" because it sat east of the Gyeongbok Palace. It was established as the 122 historical spot in Korea. Changdeok Palace is a palace that has undergone a lot of disasters, but the structure has been relatively well preserved. Also starting in 1912, management of the backyard, also known as the Royal Garden, and an additional Injeonjeon was made possible. Even after the Counter Intelligence Corps, Changdeok Palace and the Royal Garden are opened to the public.

Changdeok Palace is an architectural piece that was designed after the shapes of the mountains and does not hold much change from the geographical features. Including the Royal Garden, along with other affiliate buildings, theChangdeok Palace is one of the most important palaces that has remained true to the original form and relatively well preserved. so This palace was registered in UNESCO in 1997.

[When the Seokguram (Grotto) is seen up close, its beauty and size overwhelms (source: DaejeonIlbo)]

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple

This is a Seokguram (Grotto) is a representative Grotto of Korea that stood in the Toham Mountains of the Gyungju Province during the UnifiedSilla era. It is the 24th national treasure and is a remaining part of our history that inhibits the wish of the Silla people's faith, exhibits outstanding architecture, and has incorporatedsophisticatedsculpting.

Construction began in 751 by Daeseong Kim in the 10th year of the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla. The grotto was completed by the Silla court in 774 and was originally called Seokbulsa (Stone Buddha Temple). As a prime masterpiece of the Silla era the construction plans for this piece of heritage has generally encompassed the best construction, repair, geometry, religion and art. Bulguksa Temple has also become a structure that followers of the Buddhist religion study and has become a representative structure that holds a distinct beauty that cannot be seen from anywhere in Asia.

Futhermore, Bulguksa Temple has also been inducted into UNESCO. The construction of Bulguksa Temple also began in 751 by DaeseongKim, along with the Seokguram, and was finishe din 774. Bulguksa is considered to be the number one historical site and other cultural assets that can be found inside are the Dabotap, Cheongwoongyo, and Baekwoongyo. The Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple were both registered in 1995.

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

Named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO are the Halla Mountains, SeongsanIlchilbong and the Lava Tubes of Jeju. Halla Mountain is the tallest mountain in the South Korea and was created from volcanic activity. SeongsanIlchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruptionin Jeju. Jeju was formed about 1.8 million years ago from volcanic eruptions and is scientifically valuable for its extensive system of lava tubes. These natural conduits through which magma once flowed are now empty caves that are some of the largest in the world.

For Lava Tubes to be formed there are certain conditions that are necessary. There must be vasts amounts of extremely high temperature lava at a small viscosity index, which can also flow on slightly slanted grounds. Even before the lava flows, there should be a vast amount of flat ground with a valley a midst for the lava to gather. TheJeju Lava Tubes were formed in the shape of how the lava flowed from the Northeast to the sea. The Jeju Lava Tubes has a total of 10 tubes: Manjang Tube (7,400m), Kimnyung Tube (700m), Bengdwee Tube (4,500m), Sunheulsoojeekdong Tube (100m), Wootsanjun Tube (2,500m), Bukoreum Tube (200m), Daerim Tube (200m), Dangchumooldong Tube, Yongchundong Tube, Wuljungnamjimidong Tube. Among these, 5 have been included in UNSECO's World Heritage Site and Manjang Tube is the only one open to the public.

[Densely constructed, Suwon Hwaseong Fotress that blocked foreign invasion]

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

This fortress was built by King Jeongjo when he moved his father's tomb to Suwon. This fortress was named as the 3rd historical site was valued as a highlighted castle of Asia. The fortress was valued at having equipped both military defense abilities and commercial abilities. Not only that, it has a very practical structure as well. As this fortress blocked off the Japanese invasion, it was also fulfilled the role of a strong defense for the southern part of Seoul.

The Ongsung, Sunmoon, Ahmmoon, Sandae, Chaesung, Jukdae, Podae, Bongsudae (Beacon) also create a variety of things to see at the fortress site. The castle prognathism and the construction of the roof tiles were constructed with a distinct method that current technologies cannot reproduce. This remains as a point for continued research.

Let's preserve our world heritage

After a one time dig and excavation into these brilliant cultural heritage inheritances, restoration becomes a bit difficult. Especially with earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and other weather effects continue to destroy nature's gifts. It doesn't stop here. People's carelessness and senseless developing, war, etc are taking over the space where nature should be.

That is why UNESCO has designated 35 sites and is lobbying for safety. Ethiopia Simien National Park, Iran's Ban and its Cultural Landscape, Peru's Chan Chan Remains, and Yemen's Historic Town of Zabid remain as the representative sites.

It is in this way that UNESCO is not just merely registering these sites, but periodically reporting on the conditions and continuing to preserve these sites. There is a true commitment in their periodic reports for the preservations of these sites and a plan mapped out for full cooperation in potential crisis situations. Required obligations for the member countries, voluntary donations and personal donations are included in the efforts.

The inheritances on our lands are not ours to keep. Efforts should not stop with UNESCO either. We need to first take interest and take part in the preservation of world heritage and these efforts will surely pass down our ancestors' wisdom and achievements to our heirs, and will be able to thank us for the great inheritance. We hope and anticipate the continuation of even more effort to preserve our inheritances.

*NOTE: This blog post is from The Presidential Council on Nation Branding's Official blog 'Korea brand blog', on November 28, 2011. If you have any further information about this blog post please contact us.(AdvancedTechKR@gmail.com) We will be happy to help you to get the related information. Thank you.