E-Book

Volume 7

Director's Message

On June 16, 2024, the Framework Act on Korea Heritage came into effect, marking a significant shift in terminology from “cultural property” to “Korea Heritage.” Consequently, our institute’s Korean name has been updated to reflect this change. The classification system has been redefined to align with the UNESCO heritage system, now encompassing cultural heritage, natural heritage, and intangible heritage under the umbrella term of Korea Heritage. With the restructuring of the former Natural Heritage Division into the Natural Heritage Bureau within the Korea Heritage Service, the NRICH has emerged as Korea’s sole comprehensive cultural heritage research institute. Our scope now spans diverse fields, including archaeological heritage, artistic heritage, architectural heritage, safety and disaster prevention, conservation, and restoration. Moving forward, we will continue to engage and cooperate with both national and global cultural heritage institutions. Our commitment to the preservation and transmission of our precious heritage to future generations remains steadfast

Volume 6

Director's Message

This year, international exchanges are once again extending across the globe after being hindered by COVID-19 until last year. The NRICH has been engaged in multiple projects recently. Apart from signing an MOU with ICCROM, NRICH resumed the ACPCS** project after a three-year hiatus, organized an excavation and conference in Kazakhstan, restructured its cooperative system with Japan, and offered training support for conservation treatment technology in Indonesia and other regions. The Institute aims to create a multitude of pathways to make a meaningful impact on the global community. The NRICH is proud to be Korea’s foremost comprehensive academic institution dedicated to cultural heritage research, and I am fully committed to giving my utmost this year.

2023 NRICH brochure

Introduction

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) is the sole comprehensive research organization in South Korea specializing in the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage. We aim to promote and safeguard the value of Korean national identity and cultural heritage through research and activities spanning a wide range of fields, including archaeology, art history, architectural studies, conservation science, natural heritage preservation, natural heritage preservation and safety, and disaster prevention.

To enrich the understanding of regional Korean history, we operate a number of regional and provincial research institutes. On the international level, we are currently engaging in joint projects with representatives of Russia, Japan and France. In addition, the NRICH plays an important role in elevating public awareness of Korean culture through endeavors such as annual intensive training programs in countries from the Asian region.

Volume 5

I am very pleased to announce the fifth issue of the NRICH English Newsletter. The NRICH newsletter was first published in 2020 to promote the latest research results and news on Korean cultural heritage at home and abroad.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic made the world to experience a whole new lifestyle such as daily life covered by face masks and the contactless and contact-free culture. In spite of the pandemic, the NRICH has continued to make achievements as the country’s leading cultural heritage investigation and research institute.

Volume 4

I am truly delighted to release the fourth issue of the “NRICH,” an English newsletter of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. As we publish more issues, I am glad that the magazine is gaining reputation as a good guide to understanding Korea’s history and culture.

Volume 3

My warmest greetings to all of you reading this third issue of the “NRICH” English journal! Since its establishment in 1969, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) has been actively involved in global research and has established connections with researchers around the world. With increasing global efforts to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to soon resume our international research and exchanges with our friends and researchers from abroad.

Volume 2

COVID-19 has brought abrupt halt in our
lives and created gaps between friendships
as well as relationships. In the midst of this
unprecedented crisis, we believe that trust
and cooperation are the key to combat this
global pandemic. Bearing that in mind, I
am pleased to announce that the NRICH
has released its second issue of “NRICH”,
an English magazine on Korean cultural
heritage research projects.

Volume 1

Korea, the Land of the Morning
Calm! Although Korea had long been
known as the Land of the Morning Calm,
the epithet is now fading into oblivion.
From the Paleolithic Period, hundreds
of thousands of years ago, through
to modern times, Korea has preserved its
own unique history and culture. Today,
electronics and automobiles from Korea’s
global giants, such as Samsung and Hyundai,
can be seen everywhere on the planet,
along with the name “Korea.”