Historian Lee Bae-yong Delivers a Lecture On ‘Globalization of Korean Traditional and Cultural Heritage’ to VANK

On May 16^th, 2022, Lee Bae-yong, a historian and the chief director of Hanji Preservation and Utilization Foundation, delivered a lecture on ‘Globalization of Korean Traditional and Cultural Heritage’. The lecture was held at the ‘Jong Ie Nara’ building and focused on Korean traditional and cultural heritages that Koreans must know.

The one that is most Korean is the most global

The lecture opened with the phrase, ‘the one that is most Korean is the most global’. Lee Bae-yong highlighted the importance of tradition and the existence of a timeless value that carries through all generations.

The lecture was structured into two parts: ‘About UNESCO World Heritage and the current status of Korean UNESCO World Heritages’ and ‘Significance of designating Hanji as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.’

Part 1 | About UNESCO World Heritage and the current status of Korean UNESCO World Heritages

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that aims to promote world peace and cooperation through educational scientific and cultural exchange.

One of the major activities of UNESCO is the designation of UNESCO World Heritages. Once heritage is selected as a UNESCO World Heritage, it can receive many benefits for its preservation and promotion.

UNESCO World Heritage is decided by whether the subject has an ‘outstanding universal value’. Accreditation represents the international, universal value of the heritage. This certification can increase cultural status and respect toward the heritage.

The promotional aspect can raise tourist visits which will lead to regional development and economic profits. An increase in acknowledgment of the heritage can trigger active discussions on the heritage conservation system which can also be funded by the UNESCO campaign. World Heritage is recognized as a heritage shared by the world and crucial to the cultural exchange.

Abu Simbel temples in Egypt are a good example of how UNESCO can be involved in heritage preservation. Abu Simbel is two rock-cult temples located near the River Nile and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ‘Nubian Monuments.’ The temples were predicted to be submerged when an artificial Lake Nasser was created. Therefore, in the 1970s, the temples were relocated to higher ground as a part of the UNESCO Nubian Salvage Campaign.

Currently in Korea, 15 World Heritage, 21 Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and 16 Memory of the World are registered as UNESCO World Heritages (See the table below). The lecture introduced exemplary Korean heritages. Some examples are written below:

1. 종묘 Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo is the oldest Confucian royal shrines to be preserved. The shrines are dedicated to the royal family of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Jongmyo houses the spirit tablets of the former royal family and symbolizes the legitimacy of the royal family and their sovereignty. Jongmyo Jerye, the royal ancestral ritual in the Jongmyo shrine, is still annually held to honor the former royal family and ancestors of Korea. Jongmyo is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage and Jongmyo Jerye and Jongmyo Jeryeak (royal ancestral ritual music in the Jongmyo shrine) as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Located on the opposite side of Jongmyo is Sajik, the shrine for the safety of the people and good harvests. Sa(社) represents the god of earth and Jik(稷) represents the god of grain. Sajik Daeje, the national rite to gods of earth and grain, was held to pray for the peace and good harvests of the country. Jongmyo and Sajik are often paired together as ‘Jongmyo Sajik’ to symbolize kingdom and country.

2. 석굴암 Seokguram Grotto

Alongside the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto became a UNESCO World Heritage in 1995. It is an artificial stone grotto that was built with white granite. The statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is placed at the center of the grotto. It was built to prevent condensation, but during the Japanese colonial era, the system was damaged.

The grotto represents modesty from the people of the Silla Dynasty and how they lived in harmony with nature. It symbolizes respect toward nature and sends a message of humility to the visitors.

3. 한국의 서원 Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

Seowon are traditional Korean academies founded upon Neo-Confucianism, a philosophy that one can receive true education from nature. They were renowned high education institutions and structured with dormitories, study areas, ritualistic shrines for venerated scholars, and libraries.

Currently, 7 Seowon are registered as the UNESCO World Heritage. These are Sosu-seowon, Namgye-seowon, Oksan-seowon, Dosan-seowon, Piram-seowon, Dodong-seowon, Byeongsan-seowon, Museong-seowon and Donam-seowon. Each Seowon venerated different scholars but all are located near mountains and water in pavilion style.

Neo-Confucianism believed elements in nature represent essential values a scholar must learn. For example, water, or a body of water such as an ocean can be interpreted as how one should be modest while studying. A vast sea embraces a large amount of water. Therefore, one must have an open mind when receiving new knowledge.

The lecture also highlighted that all Korean World Heritages should be equally acknowledged.

Part 2 | Significance of designating Hanji as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Hanji, the traditional Korean paper, is a pivotal factor in the preservation of old Korean documents. The manufacturing process takes a great number of processes and intricate handwork, which led to a decrease in the traditional manufacturing of Hanji in modern days. Currently, Hanji manufacturing is mostly inherited by small workshops as family businesses. There are less than 20 traditional Hanji workshops around South Korea.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity characterizes itself as a heritage that is passed down by generations to be altered and developed further in each stage. It accentuates the uniqueness of the heritage and the community’s devotion to preserving the culture. Therefore, the number of people participating in the application process is meaningful, as it directly represents the will of the community.

To be designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the heritage must be first registered as an intangible cultural heritage of its own country. In addition to the high number and willing participation of the communities, groups, and individuals in the application process, there must be a suitable preservation measure present to continue the transmission of the culture to the next generation.

The designation of Hanji as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity can support the cultural value and importance of cultural protection. It can be served as evidence that the Hanji possesses globally recognizable uniqueness and innovative technology. The registration can also increase the recognition of Hanji not only worldwide but also domestically, which will further highlight our responsibility of preserving Korean tradition and culture. As discussed in Part 1, additional impacts can include acknowledgment of Hanji as a valuable factor in world history, and an increase in Hanji-related works and profits.

To produce durable paper, ingredients with low iron are needed to prevent acidification. Hanji is made with inner fibers of Korean mulberry trees and is known for its preservation factor. In 1966, the Spotless Pure Light Dharani Sutra (National Treasure No. 126) was found during the repair of the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple. The sutra is the world’s oldest material printed by woodblocks. The silk wrapping of the sutra was presumed to have decomposed over the years, but Hanji that forms the sutra remained intact for over a thousand years. Furthermore, 13 out of 16 Korean heritages designated on UNESCO Memory of the World are related to Hanji, both indicating multiple applications and exceptional preservation features of Hanji.

Hanji is also utilized for heritage strengthening and restoration worldwide for its softness and durability. In Korea, Hanji was used for the restoration of Joseon wangjo sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) and the First Edition of Goryeo Tripiṭaka Koreana. ICPAL (Istituto centrale per la patologia degli archivi e del libro, Central Institute for Archives and Book Pathology) of Italy certified 3 types of Hanji as the official conservation and preservation material with the Louvre also working with Hanji to restore heritage.

Hanji follows the flow of nature. Hanji can be manufactured from October to March as the high temperature may decompose mulberry tree fibers and degrades the quality of the paper. Some Hanji workshop grows their own mulberry trees for the materials.

Hanji Preservation and Utilization Foundation is founded in April 2021 to designate Hanji as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Lee Bae-yong emphasized that production can increase when there is demand and Hanji requires the attention of the Korean government to be utilized in more areas including awards and textbooks.

 

The lecture concluded with the story of Sohn Kee-chung and Hwang Young-cho. Sohn Kee-chung won a gold medal in the Men’s Marathon event of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, he bore the Japanese flag on his chest as Korea was in midst of the Japanese colonial era. He lowered his head with Nam Sung-yong who won the bronze medal. This act was a silent protest and mourning of the lost homeland. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Hwang Young-cho won the gold medal in the Men’s Marathon event. He placed the medal around Sohn Kee-chung’s neck and dedicated his victory to him. The story depicts the strength and dedication of Korean. A universal value lies in the love toward one’s own country.