Vol.9 No.2 SUMMER 2016 여름

여름 Vol.9 No.2 SUMMER 2016 여름 SUMMER 2016 Vol.9 No.2 2016 Vol.9 ISSN 2005-0151 OnOn the the Cover Cover Tidal flats are coastal wetlands formed through the long-term deposition of sand and/or mud carried by tides or rivers. They are typically submerged when the tide is high and exposed when it turns. The southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula is enormously rich in inshore islands, a geo- graphical characteristic that has given rise to diverse forms of tidal flats. Blessed with amazing biodiversity, these flats provide unique scenery blending land and water. For more on the southwestern Korean tidal flats, see p. 22. SUMMER Contents 06 07 04 Korean Heritage in Focus Exploration of Korean Heritage 42 Heritage Guardians, Another Heritage in the Making Soesokkak River Pool, a Masterpiece Crafted by Nature The Royal Culture Festival, a Royal Feast for Contemporary Koreans Samgyetang, a Hot Recipe for Fighting Summer Heat Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty on Exhibition 04 10 24 36 16 30 42 48 24 Korean Heritage for the World Cultural Heritage Administration Headlines 52 Tidal Flats on the Southwestern Coast of the Korean Peninsula CHA News A Treasure Trove of Bio- and Geo-Diversity CHA Events Traditional Dyeing Brings out the Colors of Nature Jikji, the Oldest Surviving Evidence of a Major Human Invention Korean Heritage in Focus 08 09 Possessing the DNA of all humanity, cultural heritage also embodies Heritage Guardians, the cultural and historical characteristics unique to a particular group Another Heritage in the Making or civilization. The cultural heritage of South Korea is no exception: it illuminates the ways of life and history of both the Korean people and humanity as a whole. The Korean nation persistently tested a broad range of attempts in its efforts to ensure harmony with nature, achieve prosperity, and Text & photos by Jang Young-ki, Public-Private Partnership Specialist, establish an ideal society. These endeavors were not just geared toward the Promotion Policy Division, Cultural Heritage Administration pursuit of material abundance, but were also fueled by a desire for spiritual peace and concord between human and nature. In the days when Buddhism Cultural heritage is a collection of the cultural and historical legacy of reigned supreme, endeavors were poured into fostering the Buddha’s the past and bears the cherished vestiges and memories of humanity. land on the Korean Peninsula; and when Confucianism was adopted as Embodying information on traditional customs, techniques, and arts, the governing philosophy people strove to create a nation of Confucian cultural heritage is a reminder to contemporary people of the thoughts gentlemen. These pursuits stretching the length of the time-honored history and practices of their ancestors from the past. Cultural heritage does of Korea have left their traces in every corner of the country in the form of for humanity what DNA does for an organism: it informs on the historic buildings and artifacts. It is fair to say that the entire territory can be historical characteristics and evolutionary transformations of our viewed as an open-air museum overflowing with cultural heritage. species. While the significance of cultural heritage has long been prominent in the consciousness of Korean society, approaches to its conservation have been undergoing a transformation that remains in progress. As late as the 1980s, cultural heritage was broadly perceived as a subject for academic research that should remain under rigorous conservation and management. Allowing only limited access by researchers, owners, or managers, this era’s conservation practices for cultural heritage precluded easy public access to historic buildings and monuments. Starting in the 1970s–80s, social and political democratization coinciding with economic growth nurtured more Heritage Guardians scrubbing the floor of democratic ideas and sparked a maturation in a civil society: ideas about Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at cultural rights spread and understanding of traditional culture deepened. It Gyeongbokgung Palace was during the 1990s when books on heritage sites and local cultural traditions began to appear on the shelves of bookstores, and field trips to heritage sites by individuals and groups gained in popularity. While individual and group visits to cultural monuments and sites were becoming more widespread, grassroots movements for the conservation of cultural heritage Searching for termites (by S-1 Corporation) Korean Heritage in Focus 10 11 Volunteers adhering paper to the doors of a heritage building Showing three-dimensional video clips of artifacts held overseas (LG Electronics) started to spring up nationwide. Private organizations dedicated to enhancing assumes a secondary role and more toward a popular movement in which the community participation in heritage conservation were soon established. entire nation takes part in heritage conservation. Amid this social change, the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Designed based around local cultural movements centering on the designated heritage authority for South Korea, has been implementing a participation of local residents, the Heritage Guardians program aims to series of policies for expanding community participation and strengthening extend private efforts at heritage conservation to the national level and public-private partnerships for heritage conservation. In the 1980s and incorporate the heritage field within the scope of corporate social 90s, efforts were made to institutionalize public-private involvement in responsibility. Intended to offer support to voluntary private-sector Children cleaning up the heritage conservation in order to address the limitations inherent to the conservation activities, the program is operated based on individual surroundings of a heritage site government’s heritage management. Programs were introduced such as volunteers who are ready to donate their time and talent, and also on Honorary Managers for Cultural partnerships with corporations and expert groups. Along with enhancing Heritage (in the 1980s) and Cultural cooperation between the public and private sectors, the Heritage Guardians Heritage Administrative Monitors program helps overcome staffing and budget shortfalls in the public (in the 1990s). In 2005, the Cultural conservation system while enhancing the impact of public policy. Since Heritage Administration initiated its launch in 2005, the program has been actively operated as a cultural the One Guardian for One Heritage movement driven by private-sector participation. Under the program, program, also known as the Heritage Heritage Guardians conduct a wide range of activities, including Guardians program, as an effort environmental restoration, heritage monitoring and patrols, education, and to evolve beyond conservation interpretation, all contributing to boosting affection and awareness for mechanisms where the private sector cultural heritage nationwide. Korean Heritage in Focus 12 13 Diverse entities including court artifacts and in increasing the individuals, families, schools, private populations of wildlife designated as organizations, and corporations natural heritage, the donation of metal all participate in the program. The for the restoration of Sungnyemun activities for each category of Gate, of equipment and expert Heritage Guardians are explained workers for turf management at royal below. tombs, and of camera technology for the archiving of artifacts. They Individuals and families not only also provide support for improving visit heritage sites and participate in interpretative signage, visitor centers, experience programs, but also lend and lighting systems, as well as for Tending the grass at a a hand cleaning up the areas around heritage sites. Through these family the training of special detection royal tomb from the Jo- seon Dynasty (by Hanwha activities, children can gain a natural opportunity to experience cultural and dogs to search for termites, which Hotels & Resorts) historical spaces and learn volunteerism. threaten wooden structures. They perform safety checks on electrical At schools, both regular and extracurricular classes and group activities service and monitor for gas leakages on cultural heritage are held. Cultural heritage is used as a means to in historic villages. The purchase of provide education on history and local culture and to develop a spirit of cultural objects located overseas and volunteerism. their three-dimensional recording is another area for corporate Conducting cultural activities at the grassroots level over the course participation. As of December of decades, private organizations have developed and operated a diverse 2015, 55 enterprises have joined the range of programs, including public education, volunteer programs, cultural Cultural Heritage Administration as experiences, and heritage monitoring. They also recommend heritage sites heritage conservation partners. and monuments that are of value but have not yet been officially registered Engaging in disease- on heritage lists and received the subsequent conservation. They also offer The expansion of civil society and the subsequent emergence of public prevention activities for a chance to other social entities, such as individuals, families, schools, volunteer activities for heritage conservation and the introduction and oak trees at the palaces and royal tombs (Samsung and military groups, to participate in heritage preservation activities by entrenchment of heritage policy for public-private

Load more