80 Meters of Eastern Outer Wall at UNESCO World Heritage Jongmyo Shrine Restored and Maintained

Exterior view of the east side wall of Jongmyo Shrine after construction. Provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Heritage Center of the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on December 16 that it has completed restoration and maintenance work on approximately 80 meters of the eastern outer wall of Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The wall of Jongmyo Shrine is a significant structure that delineates the space where ancestral rites are performed. Over time, the wall has developed cracks and deformations due to weathering and drainage issues. To address this, the Cultural Heritage Administration began a phased restoration project in 2013, starting with the repair of a 23-meter section on the east side to ensure the structural stability of the wall.

During the recent construction, detailed surveys and expert reviews were conducted, followed by reinforcement of the wall, repair of cracks, restoration of detached sections, improvement of drainage, and maintenance of the surrounding environment.

The Jongmyo Management Office stated, "By applying traditional restoration techniques, we minimized damage to the original structure and further enhanced both the historical landscape and structural safety of Jongmyo Shrine. We will continue to preserve Jongmyo through ongoing inspections and systematic management."

Jongmyo Shrine is a state shrine where the ancestral tablets of the kings and queens, as well as the emperors and empresses of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire, are enshrined and memorial rites are performed. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1995.

The Cultural Heritage Administration recently designated approximately 194,000 square meters in the Jongmyo area as a World Heritage Zone.

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