Smooth Supply of Timber for National Heritage Restoration Ensured

2,413 Trees Felled in Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun Area
Stored in Warehouse... To Be Supplied Timely to National Heritage Restoration Sites

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 5th that it has felled 2,413 trees from a timber production forest for national heritage restoration and stockpiled them at the National Heritage Repair Materials Center of the Traditional Architecture Repair Technology Promotion Foundation. They plan to select and cut high-quality timber by the end of this month and begin processes such as peeling and drying starting next month.

A forested area around Daehyeon-ri, Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk [Photo by National Heritage Administration]

According to the "Traditional Materials Status Survey Report" published by the Traditional Architecture Repair Technology Promotion Foundation in January last year, the national heritage repair sites have faced difficulties securing oversized timber, naturally curved timber, and hardwoods due to irrational distribution structures. Although the Cultural Heritage Administration signed a business agreement with the Korea Forest Service in 2005 to supply timber for national heritage restoration, they only received 288 pine trees in three shipments.

To resolve the difficulties in timber supply, the National Heritage Repair Materials Center signed a contract last month with the Yeongju National Forest Management Office under the Korea Forest Service to purchase national forest products. They will receive 2,413 trees from an area equivalent to ten times the size of a soccer field (7 hectares) in Daehyeon-ri, Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. This includes 195 pine trees (Chunyangmok), 36 Korean nut pines, and 2,182 hardwood trees. After completing the drying process in September, the timber will be stored in a stockpile warehouse and supplied to national heritage repair sites in a timely manner.

Exterior view of the National Heritage Repair Materials Center of the Traditional Architecture Repair Technology Promotion Foundation
[Photo by National Heritage Agency]

An official explained, "The pine trees are structural timber with an average diameter of over 45 cm, thick and long," adding, "They are characterized by straight growth, thin bark, and fine, soft grain, making them suitable for use in Hanok construction and other applications." The official also stated, "We will continuously monitor and manage the supply status of other traditional materials for national heritage repair, such as stone, pigments, and rice straw, to establish a stable supply system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.