WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN KAESONG

The 37^th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Cambodia adopted a resolution on listing the historical remains in Kaesong of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as World Heritage Sites.

Those inscribed on the World Heritage List are the Mausoleum of King Wang Kon, founder of Koryo (918-1392), the first unified state of the Korean nation; the Mausoleum of King Kongmin, 31^st king of Koryo kingdom; Manwoltae, the site of royal palace; Koryo Songgyungwan, the highest educational institution of the Koryo period; the Kaesong Walls and Kaesong Namdae Gate; the Kaesong Chomsongdae Observatory, one of the world’s earliest astronomical observatory; Sungyang Confucian School, formerly a residence of Jong Mong Ju, a government official and distinguished Confucian scholar in the closing years of Koryo; Phyochung Monuments which were erected by the kings of feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910) in praise of Jong Mong Ju’s loyalty; Sonjuk Bridge where Jong Mong Ju was murdered; Seven Tombs Cluster and Myongrung Cluster, tombs of royal families of Koryo dynasty.

The World Heritage Sites in Kaesong, capital city of Koryo dynasty, represent the traditions and features of the culture of Koryo.

The Mausoleum of King Wang Kon was constructed in 943, the year of king’s death, and reconstructed in 1994. In front of the mausoleum stands a hall for memorial services, and inside it hang a portrait of King Wang Kon and several paintings depicting significant events in his career, which was devoted to founding Koryo and unifying the nation by inheriting the Koguryo people’s spirit of unification. Koguryo, which existed for about 1 000 years from 277 BC to AD 668, was a powerful state in the East. The mausoleum is an earth-covered stone grave typical of Koguryo style of tomb building. Around it are found stone sculptures of eight subjects close to the king, who rendered distinguished service in founding the unified state. The mural paintings inside the mausoleum were drawn in good composition, powerful and delicate strokes and vivid colours, thus fully representing the features of Korean painting. Many relics were found in the mausoleum and the surrounding area, and the gilt-bronze statue of Wang Kon in seated position portrays him in his 40s, when he just founded Koryo.

The Mausoleum of King Kongmin has the twin tombs, Hyonrung for the king and Jongrung for the queen. The mausoleum was constructed between 1365 and 1372 under the direct supervision of the king. The carved stone images erected in the mausoleum are very conspicuous, of which eight statues of civil and military officials are regarded as the masterpieces representing the stone sculpture of Korea in the old days.

Manwoltae is the site of a principal royal palace of Koryo. Its total area runs into some 1 250 000 m², and it is divided into the districts of royal residences and important government offices respectively. Inside the royal residential district was a wide yard, where the kings and other government officials enjoyed on top of nearby gatehouse such national functions as kyokgu, similar to the present polo, a lantern festival and others held in grand style. It was sometimes the venue of military review. To the west of the central architectural groups are the sites of royal residences where the kings conducted state affairs and lived.

Koryo Songgyungwan was the highest educational institution during the Koryo dynasty. It was established in 992 and is one of the oldest universities in the world. It occupies a floor space of about 10 000 m² and has 18 buildings retaining the architecture of those days. It is now a university for training light industrial experts.

Kaesong Namdae Gate was constructed between 1391 and 1393. It has an embankment faced with granite, a gate tower, and an arched gateway in the centre of the embankment. It houses a bell of Yonbok Temple in its gate tower.

Kaesong Chomsongdae Observatory was built in the early years of Koryo dynasty. Granite-faced embankment of the observatory is still preserved in its original state, on top of which were installed instruments for astronomical observation. The sides of the embankment coincided with the main cardinal points, and the building execution was carried out in detailed and solid way. Its masonry was also exquisitely done, representing the high architectural skills of the days. The Koryo dynasty, from the early days of its founding, set up a specialized observatory agency, which conducted astronomical observations in a scrupulous way and recorded the results in detail. The records show that sunspots were observed on over 50 occasions between 1105 and the closing years of the dynasty.

Sungyang Confucian School was erected on the site of the residence of Jong Mong Ju. It was set up with a purpose of holding memorial services in honour of Jong Mong Ju and also disseminating Confucianism by following after the distinguished Confucian scholars. It is fenced in a rectangular way, and passing through the three gates in front of the building there are found Tongjae and Sojae, which served as dormitories, facing each other on both sides of the yard. Behind them stands a learning hall, and passing through another three gates there is a shrine. The school preserves the layout patterns and architectural structures of Confucian schools in the middle ages.

Sonjuk Bridge became famous after Jong Mong Ju, a loyal subject of Koryo dynasty, was murdered by Ri Song Gye’s followers who were trying to seize power. Its original name, Sonji Bridge, was renamed because after Jong was murdered there grew bamboos. It is one of the oldest stone bridges in Korea.

Near the bridge are the Phyochung Monuments. It is said that Yongjo and Kojong, kings of feudal Joson dynasty, had the monuments erected in praise of Jong’s loyalty.

Recently designated World Heritage Sites in Kaesong are of great historical and cultural significance.  

Over a thousand representatives and observers from nearly 200 countries present at the 37^th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee unanimously approved of the resolution on listing the Korean historical sites as the World Heritage Sites. The chair of the session, on behalf of the committee, congratulated the DPRK. Representatives from Russia, Malaysia, France, Germany, Thailand and many others gave hearty welcome to the DPRK counterpart, saying that historical remains in Kaesong were striking, indeed.