Revolutionizing Cultural Heritage Protection: South Korea Embraces Science and Technology

South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Protection Enhanced with Science and Technology

The Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea has announced plans to expand the development of science and technology in the preservation, restoration, and disaster management of the country’s cultural heritage. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage has been actively involved in the development of preservation and restoration technologies, with an average of 15.8 patents related to national heritage conservation and restoration filed and registered each year.

This year, the institute will also focus on research to prevent damage to traditional wooden architectural heritage caused by invasive species such as white ants. They will study the selection of suitable biological pesticides and the optimal treatment cycle to prevent biological damage to cultural heritage.

In collaboration with government-funded chemical research institutions and paint companies, standardized methods for removing spray graffiti and safety guidelines will be established. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage has already published guidelines for the removal of paint graffiti on stone cultural heritage and holds 15 patents related to the preservation and restoration of stone cultural heritage. Efforts to remove spray graffiti have been carried out at locations such as the Yeongchumun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the surrounding area of the National Palace Museum of Korea.

The Cultural Heritage Administration is currently working on the preservation and treatment of the Bulsoksa Temple mural, a national treasure from the Goryeo Dynasty. They aim to secure standards for repairing cracks and reinforcing missing parts of the mural. Additionally, the development of technology for protecting cultural heritage from fires is underway, including the construction of fire-resistant structures and buried fire-resistant structures.

Furthermore, a mobile program that allows visitors to experience digitally restored ancient architecture through augmented reality will be developed and provided at archaeological sites. The construction of the “Advanced Conservation Technology Center for Large-scale Cultural Heritage” is also being planned, which will establish a comprehensive system ranging from long-term preservation to precise diagnosis using radiation and digital restoration.