Marking the first year of the full public opening of Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, on May 10, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History hosted an academic seminar on Thursday, where scholars and field experts discussed the historical meaning and significance of the space. The four-hour seminar “History of Cheong Wa Dae Space” provided a platform for presen...

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday that future discussions on the lifting of height restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung and the Joseon royal tombs, should take UNESCO's Heritage Impact Assessments into consideration. UNESCO recommends the use of a structured process called HIA to evaluate any proposed changes in the vicinity of des...

Choi also wanted to clarify a misconception about the exhibition. "There was a story that most Gyeongju residents were angry with us for digging up ancestral tombs for research. This is an exaggeration. Although we did have a group of elderly come and talk about the terrible drought that year, they were not directly condemning us for the excavation. People in Gyeongju were very gentle and kind to...

Thirty-two Buddhist relics that were once stolen from temples across the country will finally return to their rightful homes, after some of which had been gone for more than three decades. The 21 Buddhist statues and 11 Buddhist paintings were put on display at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, central Seoul, Tuesday, and a ceremony was held to celebrate their home...

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome 53,000 Korean visitors in 2023, almost five times the 11,000 visitors recorded last year, aided by direct flight routes, stopover visas and diversified travel packages, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority on Monday. During a tourism roadshow at the Westin Josun Seoul on Monday, the STA introduced a wide range of experiences available to Korean holidayma...

The Uigwe not only records buildings, but also provides comprehensive documentation of architectural materials and construction equipment. Detailed written descriptions are accompanied by illustrations, serving as invaluable resources for comprehending architectural engineering, transportation vehicles, and tools from that era. Furthermore, the Uigwe records the total budget allocated for constr...

The records consist of a comprehensive collection of 185 documents that pertain to the rebellion against the pervasive corruption within the ruling class, in pursuit of a just and equal society. The civil movement was led by armed peasants and followers of the Donghak, an academic movement of Korean Neo-Confucianism founded in 1860. This marks the first time in six years that South Korea's docum...

One side of the bell's body also features an inscription of roughly 1,037 ancient Chinese characters that recounts King Seongdeok's peaceful 40-year reign over the Silla Kingdom. The inscription writes that there were neither wars nor conflict, nor adversity faced by his people during his reign. The inscription goes on to say that in recognition of his accomplishment, the government office commi...

Founded in 1824, the National Gallery houses over 2,300 paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century. The selection chosen for the special exhibition is representative of the National Gallery’s history, and includes some paintings that are rarely seen in Korea. The institution hopes to offer a concise history of Western art at the exhibitions in Asia. ...

A tall media tower with screens on all four sides occupies the center of the two story-cafe. In fact, there are many such screens throughout the cafe, but they are not loud or overwhelming. Rather, the dark images they display further enrich the rainy day atmosphere. The showery vibes are not the only reason to visit. The cafe's wide range of coffees are all weather-themed and their bakery and ...

The Gaya Tumuli, seven tomb clusters of Korea's ancient Gaya Kingdom (42-562), have been recommend for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday. The decision was made during a meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a cultural heritage evaluation advisory organization under UNESCO, according to the CHA. The World H...

The campaign's renewed Cultural Heritage Passport, with which visitors can use to collect stamps at designated heritage locations, will also include Korail travel centers this year. A lucky-draw event will choose 10 travelers who have completed their stamp collection for a chance to visit the Korean heritage promotion site in Los Angeles, in August. This year's campaign goes beyond Korea to span...

During a state visit to the US with President Yoon Suk Yeol, first lady Kim Keon Hee visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on April 28. After touring the Korean and European galleries, Kim asked Matthew Teitelbaum, director of the MFA Boston, to resume discussion for the return of the silver-gilt lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary from the 13th-century Goryeo era, one of the Korean arti...