Gwangyang City, Academic Conference on the National Treasure Gwangyang Junheungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern

Highlighting the Historical and Cultural Value of the Ssangsaja Stone Lantern at Junheung Fortress

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do announced that it will hold an academic conference titled ‘National Treasure Gwangyang Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern from a Cultural Heritage Perspective’ on the 16th at 2 PM in the city hall’s main conference room.

This academic conference aims to examine the process from the removal of the ‘Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern,’ Gwangyang’s only national treasure, during the Japanese colonial period to its current exhibition at the National Gwangju Museum through various historical documents and on-site investigation data. It also seeks to inform citizens of the lantern’s value through comprehensive review and discussion, including scholarly and cultural heritage evaluations by experts.

The presentations at the conference will cover the following topics: ▲‘Buddhist Culture of Gwangyang City (Choi In-seon, Professor of History, Suncheon National University)’ ▲‘On-site Investigation and External Removal of the Gwangyang Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern during the Japanese Colonial Period (Hwang Ho-gyun, Jeollanam-do Cultural Heritage Committee Member)’ ▲‘Cultural Heritage Value Assessment of the Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern (Eom Gi-pyo, Professor, Dankook University)’ ▲‘Removal, Return, and Current Status of the Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern (Lee Eun-cheol, Representative of Gwangyang Regional History Research Association "Maroheeyang").’

Discussants include Kim Hee-tae (former Jeollanam-do Cultural Heritage Specialist), Kim Hwi-seok (Advisor, Gwangyang Cultural Center), Son Seong-pil (Professor, Department of History and Culture, Chosun University), and Lee Jong-su (Professor, Department of History, Suncheon National University).

The Gwangyang Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern features two lions standing chest to chest on a lotus-patterned pedestal supporting the stone lantern. It is estimated to have been created in the late Silla period and is regarded as a masterpiece with delicate and precise carving techniques, highly valued for its outstanding aesthetic form as a cultural heritage asset.

Tak Young-hee, Director of the Culture and Arts Division, stated, “This event is held to secure research materials related to the long journey of the lantern from Gwangyang during the Japanese colonial period, through the Joseon Governor-General Museum, to its current location at the National Gwangju Museum.”

He added, “Through this academic conference, we aim to highlight the scholarly, historical, and cultural heritage value of the Junghungsanseong Twin Lion Stone Lantern and to widely promote the importance of cultural heritage.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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