Regular inspections of architectural heritage designated as national treasures and treasures
Establishing a Research Base to Identify Traditional Wall Construction
While encountering cultural heritage is common for those in the field, conducting nationwide site inspections for nearly 300 days each year is a significant challenge, managed effectively only by the dedicated regular inspections team. This article explores the regular inspections of architectural heritage designated as national treasures and treasures, with a particular focus on the program that resumed in 2024.
Regular inspections of architectural heritage designated as national treasures and treasures aim to assess their current conservation and management status, taking necessary actions to prevent damage before it occurs. This proactive approach ensures that we do not “close the stable door after the horse has bolted.”
Commitment to Enduring Cultural Heritage
Korea currently has 840 nationally designated architectural heritage structures, comprising 263 wooden structures and 577 stone structures. These structures are categorized into six grades, from A to F, with conservation status checks conducted every three to five years depending on the grade. This year, 211 inspections are being carried out, including of the Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye.
<Regional Distribution>
| Seoul | 27 |
| Gyeonggi | 11 |
| Gangwon | 17 |
| Daegu-Gyeongbuk | 45 |
| Ulsan-Gyeongnam | 31 |
| Gwangju-Jeonnam | 23 |
| Jeonbuk | 17 |
| Chungcheong | 37 |
| Incheon | 1 |
| Busan | 2 |
| Total | 211 |
Regular inspections primarily involve visual assessments to identify changes since the last check. The process includes reviewing whether previously identified issues have worsened and noting any new changes, potentially affecting the structure’s grading. Throughout this process, experts from the Cultural Heritage Committee provide crucial input and evaluation.
Regular Inspections of the Yaksajeon and the Guksajeon Halls at Songgwangsa Buddhist Temple, Suncheon
In April, I visited Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon as part of a regular inspection. Located at the base of Jogyesan Mountain, it is one of Korea’s Three Jewel Temples, along with Tongdosa and Haeinsa, symbolizing the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Tongdosa is revered as the Bulbo (Buddha) temple, housing a shrine containing Buddha’s relics. Haeinsa is renowned for the Tripitaka Koreana, also known as the Eighty Thousand Buddha Sutras. Songgwangsa is notable for its shrine dedicated to the national preceptor, representing the Seungbo (Sangha) temple. This year’s inspections at Songgwangsa focused on the Yaksajeon Hall and the Guksajeon Hall. The Yaksajeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon is a place favored by those praying for recovery from illness and holds distinction as the smallest existing Buddhist structure. It features a 1-kan front and side space (a traditional unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) topped with a hip and gable roof known as paljakjibung. Designated as a treasure in 1963, it has undergone four major renovations since then. Despite its diminutive size, the temple offers numerous attributes for thorough inspection.
<Repair History of the Yaksakjeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple>
| Classification | Year | Repair Details |
| Repair history | 1974 | Replacement of roof tiles and wood frames, and application of flame-retardant (including Yeongsanjeon Hall) |
| 1998 | Dismantling and repair of rafters and upper structure (including hip reinforcement and roof tiles) | |
| 2007 | Repair of cranes and wood fumigation, etc. | |
| 2013 | Application of flame retardant |
<Repair History of the Guksakjeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple>
| Classification | Year | Repair Details |
| Repair history | 1991 | Dismantling and repair of purlins and upper structure, etc. |
| 2008 | Repair of dancheong and wall construction, etc. | |
| 2013 | Application of flame retardant | |
| 2014 | Comprehensive safety diagnostics | |
| 2017 | Application of flame retardant |
The inspection revealed several issues including wood splitting, flaking of the outer dancheong (traditional decorative coloring), and fading of the inner dancheong. Damage from ground-nesting wasps was noted on interior pillars, which, unlike termite damage, does not significantly impact the structure. However, the falling off of the interior walls requires ongoing monitoring.The Guksajeon Hall enshrines the portrait scrolls of 16 national preceptors from the late Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty. For the monks who practice there, it is a revered shrine to their ancestors, thus public access is limited compared to other cultural heritage sites.The Guksajeon Hall has undergone five major repairs since it was designated as a national treasure in 1962. Following the inspection, no significant changes were noted, and although there were visible splits in the wooden structure, it was assessed to be structurally sound. However, unlike the Yaksajeon Hall, there is concern regarding potential termite damage due to the proximity of the mountain behind the structure. Continuous monitoring and effective control measures are necessary to prevent such biological damage.Songgwangsa Temple exemplifies early Joseon architecture, particularly in its distinctive bracket structure designs that support pillars and columns. These elements represent a transitional phase between Goryeo and Joseon styles, offering significant historical and academic value as few structures with this style have survived to the present day.When selecting from amongst a variety of methods to safeguard cultural heritage, ensuring its long-term safety in its current state is paramount. This necessitates closer observation, more frequent documentation, and a collective effort to protect our cultural heritage.
