Earlier this year, Namhansanseong Fortress was declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site,...
and a recent discovery suggests there may be another site to add that list.
Our Yim Yoonhee joins us with more details.
Good afternoon. That's right, Bukhansanseong Fortress is also
known as the "fortress of the mountains north of the Han," but a new discovery has led to
more interest in the fortress itself. Take a look.
Designated as historical site number 162, the Bukhansanseong Fortress, sits to the North
of Seoul, and is a popular site for many locals and tourists alike.
The fortress within was first built in 132 during the Baekjae Dynasty.
But recently, within the fortress, something new has been uncovered,...
The discovery of a very different set of rocks,... rocks of different size, shape, and even color,
have been found, suggesting a different past for the fortress,... as well as a different
future.
[KOREAN] "Records of the Jungheungsanseong Fortress
were found in the Bukhansan Mountains during the Goryeo Dynasty but until now it was only
in the documentation. We can now say the true nature of it has come to light. "
The Bukhansan Mountains were designated a historical site in 1983, but recently, the
discovery of the difference within the fortress has led researchers to put more value on the
fortress. The discrepancy suggests that a certain part
of the Bukhansanseong Fortress is actually from the Jungheungsanseong Fortress, and dates
back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Bukhansan Mountain peaks are characteristic
of beautiful granite composition, but these rocks contain a much different composition,
revealing it was brought in, and used to build the Jungheung Fortress, a location pivotal
to the protection of the kingdoms hundreds of years ago.
[KOREAN] "From the Goryeo Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty,
this region played a big role in defending the kingdom. The historical importance of
the fortress is now distinct."
Because of the new finding, Bukhansanseong Fortress shows an important transition between
different time periods in the history. So far there are 9 cultural sites on the UNESCO
Cultural Heritage list in Korea, with hopes of adding one more.
Yim Yoonhee, Arirang News.
How does a site become an official UNESCO Cultural Heritage site?
There are six cultural and four natural criteria to become eligible as an official Cultural
Heritage site. It has to represent a masterpiece of human
creative genius or bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization.
There are many different requirements, but overall, it has to be a true testament to
history,.. something that must be preserved for the sake of our world cultural heritage.
What purpose did these fortresses serve?
Well obviously they were very strategic areas, used by the armies of the various Kings of
Korea to either defend or even advance upon territories.
The Bukhansanseong Fortress was used as a secure place for the king to escape to, in
the case of the palace being overrun. It's interesting, the Jungheungsanseong Fortress
actually served a role during the Japanese invasion of Korea as well.
It was used as a training site for Korean soldiers and was even a battle site between
Korean and Japanese soldiers later on.
Thank you for that report.
Always a pleasure.