Changgyeonggung Myeongjeongmun Dancheong Undergoes Renovation

Resumption of Traditional Dancheong Project Halted at Sungnyemun
Chemical Pigments Replaced with Traditional Pigments

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 3rd that it will refurbish the Dancheong of Myeongjeongmun at Changgyeonggung Palace by December. The target areas are the columns and other parts of the building that require replacement. The restoration will be based on the Dancheong documentation project and traditional Dancheong design.

Myeongjeongmun was destroyed during the Imjin War and restored in 1616. There have been six Dancheong restoration projects so far. This time, the parts repaired with chemical pigments in 1975 will be restored to traditional pigments. The original patterns of Myeongjeongmun, confirmed through the Dancheong documentation project, will also be revived. However, some Dancheong will be preserved as is to maintain historical authenticity. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "It is significant in that it resumes the traditional Dancheong project that had stopped at Sungnyemun."

The restoration of Sungnyemun was carried out from 2009 to 2013. The results were unsatisfactory. Due to the discontinuation of traditional material production and insufficient construction techniques, some Dancheong was scratched or chipped off. Since the following year, the Cultural Heritage Administration has researched traditional pigment recipes and established quality standards. They also improved traditional Dancheong construction methods and conducted twenty pilot projects.

Traditional Dancheong became difficult to apply to cultural properties from the late 19th century. This was due to the introduction of chemical pigments, which caused the production and techniques of traditional pigments to be discontinued. Traditional pigments also have lower durability and workability. However, by using natural materials such as natural stone powder and soil, they harmonize naturally with the external environment and provide an aged and elegant beauty. It is also significant in terms of inheriting the traditional techniques of ancestors and giving authenticity to cultural property repairs.

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