Course 2.

National Heritage definition and concepts

Seminar 2. Categories of national heritage
Objectives of the course
The course analyzes the postwar history of the Republic of Korea, as viewed through changes
in the management and promotion of national heritage.
Understand the importance of national heritage in promoting selected historical narratives and
representations of nationhood and identity.
Understand how the state conveys different cultural, political and economic agendas through
national heritage.
Concepts, categories and management issues
What is heritage?
What things can become heritage?
To whom does heritage belong?
Who decides what things become national heritage?
Why is it important to have a national heritage?
Does national heritage have the same meaning for all the people?
The definition of heritage
Heritage is referring to the ways in which very selective past material artefacts, natural
landscapes, mythologies, memories and traditions become cultural, political and economic
resources for the present. (Graham, Brian, and Peter Howard, eds. The Ashgate Research
Companion to Heritage and Identity. London: Ashgate, 2008, 2)
The Cultural Heritage Administration
Created in November 1945 by the US Military Government
Originally named Former Royal Household Affair Office
Reorganized and renamed in October 1961 as the Office of Cultural Properties (
)
Functioned under this name until May 1999, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and
successive ministries managing cultural issues.
Since 1999, named the Cultural Heritage Administration ()
The official website of the Cultural Heritage Administration http://www.cha.go.kr/

The classification of heritage in South Korea

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Categories of national heritage ( / )

1. (national treasures)
2. (treasures)
3. (historic sites)
4. (scenic sites)
5. (natural monuments)
6. (important intangible cultural heritage)
7. (important folklore cultural heritage)

1. (national treasures) Heritage of a rare and significant value in terms of human culture
and with an equivalent value to treasures" described below
2. (treasures) - Tangible cultural heritage of important value, such as historic architecture,
ancient books and documents, paintings, sculpture, handicraft, archeological materials and
armory
3. (historic sites) - Places and facilities of great historic and academic values that are
specially commemorable (e.g.: prehistoric sites, fortresses, ancient tombs, kiln sites, dolmens,
temple sites and shell mounds)
4. (scenic sites) Places of natural beauty with great historic, artistic or scenic values,
which features distinctive uniqueness and rarity originated from their formation processes
5. (natural monuments) Animals, plants, minerals, caves, geological features,
biological products and special natural phenomena, carrying great historic, cultural, scientific,
aesthetic or academic values, through which the history of a nation or the secrets to the
creation of the earth can be identified or revealed
6. (important intangible cultural heritage) Intangible cultural heritage, such as
drama, music, dance and craftsmanship, carrying great historic, artistic or academic values
7. (important folklore cultural heritage) Clothing, implements and houses used
for daily life and businesses, transportation and communications, entertainment and social life,
and religious or annual events, that are highly valuable for the understanding of the transition
in people's lifestyle and mores
Concepts
Restoration
Preservation
Reconstruction
Authenticity

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Recommended reading
Laurajane Smith, Uses of heritage. London: Routledge, 2006.
Tim Winter, Beyond Eurocentrism? Heritage Conservation and the Politics of Difference,
International Journal of Heritage Studies, Vol. 20, Issue 2/2014, pp. 123-137.
Codruta Cuc, On the Meaning of Heritage in South Korea: The Case of Sungnyemun , Studia
Philologia, no. 1/2013, pp. 185-196.