National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage

The center provides nationwide conservation treatment services for each material used in major cultural heritage. It manages artifacts that other cultural heritage organizations are unable to conserve due to a lack of the required equipment and expertise. The center proposes standards and methods of conservation treatment by publishing conversation reports and guidelines. By providing these proactive treatment services, the center has contributed to the conservation of cultural heritage in its original condition and enhanced its value. This has established it as the leading national institute specializing in cultural heritage conservation.

The center provides emergency treatment in order to prevent further damage to excavated artifacts and to protect their authentic forms and appearances. As a case in point, it has applied emergency on-site treatment to excavated artifacts such as the Gilt-Bronze Portable Shrine from the Seven-Story Stone Pagoda at Simgoksa Temple and reliquaries from the Three-Story Stone Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju in order to preserve them for the long term.

The center contributes to the conservation treatment of government-designated cultural heritage and artifacts made of various materials that have been excavated from major archaeological sites. The Inorganic Material Conservation Team has completed the conservation treatment of important metal artifacts such as the armor worn by General Jeong Ji (treasure), the Clepsydra of Changgyeonggung Palace (national treasure), and Ssangja Chongtong Gun (treasure) and Jija Chongtong Gun (treasure). It has also treated earthenware, stone, and mural cultural heritage, including earthenware bowls with raised patterns (treasure), the Stupa of State Preceptor Jigwang at Beopcheonsa Temple Site in Wonju (national treasure), and the Mural Painting in Josadang Shrine of Buseoksa Temple (national treasure). The Organic Material Conservation Team has made significant efforts to maintain the condition of cultural heritage by carrying out conservation treatment of government-designated cultural heritage, such as the Hahoe masks and Byeongsan masks of Andong (national treasure) and the embroidered kasaya (treasure), and other cultural artifacts made from inorganic materials like paper, textile, wood, and lacquer.

The center was the first domestic cultural heritage institute to adopt X-ray CT (Computerized Tomography). It has been carrying out non-destructive investigation and documentation of cultural heritage made of various materials, including the reliquaries excavated from the West Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan and a gilt-bronze shoe from Jeongchon Ancient Tomb in Naju. In 2018, the center became equipped with CR (Computed Radiography) capability for digital conversion of X-ray images, which is being actively utilized for non-destructive radiation-based examination.

The center has been carrying out a diversity of activities to share information on conservation of cultural heritage and disseminate technology through exchanges and cooperation with various domestic and international organizations. The center has been conducting joint research projects with organizations such as the MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification, the Korea National Arboretum, the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, holding joint workshops by establishing a multi-agency cooperation system in order to preserve modern and contemporary heritage. Furthermore, the center has been contributing to enhancing international status and developing the conservation treatment technology by providing On-site Technical Training Program (OTTP) aiming for capacity building of conservators practically working for cultural heritage in the Asian region.