50 Years of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond Excavation... Revealing the Space of the Silla Crown Prince

International Academic Conference for Two Days Starting November 4
On-Site Open Event at the Excavation Site Also Planned

The Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will hold an international academic conference at the Gyeongju Hilton Hotel for two days starting November 4 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the excavation of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Under the theme "Garden Ponds of Ancient East Asian Capitals," the conference will compare and review ancient palace garden ponds in East Asia, including Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and seek new research directions. The term "garden pond" refers to the ponds in royal palace gardens.

The conference will consist of two keynote lectures, five thematic presentations, and a comprehensive discussion session. The keynote lectures are "Functions of Ancient Palace Gardens and Royal Authority" by Park Soonbal, professor at Chungnam National University, and "Insights on Garden Ponds in Ancient East Asian Capitals" by Hong Kwangpyo, professor at Dongguk University.

The thematic presentations will be delivered in the following order: "Garden Ponds and Landscape Culture in Ancient China" by Sun Lihua, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; "Ancient Garden Ponds in Japan" by Kazuyoshi Suzuki, researcher at the Nara Prefectural Kashihara Archaeological Institute; "Palace Gardens of Baekje" by Jeon Yongho, curator at the National Heritage Administration; "Characteristics of Garden Ponds in the Silla Royal Capital" by Kim Kyungyeol, researcher at the Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage; and "Research on Balhae Gardens and Garden Ponds" by Yoon Jaewoon, professor at Daegu University.

Following the presentations, a comprehensive panel discussion will be held, chaired by Park Soonbal, professor emeritus at Chungnam National University. Panelists will include Yang Eunkyung, professor at Pusan National University; Kim Eunjeong, professor at Chungnam National University; Choi Moonjung, curator at the National Heritage Administration; Oh Seungyeon from the Hwarang Cultural Heritage Research Institute; Kim Eunok, professor at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage; as well as the presenters.

The following day, an on-site open event will take place at the excavation site of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. The area to be opened is Donggung, the space of the Silla crown prince, where remains of corridor-style buildings, a spacious courtyard, and an internal garden pond have been identified.

The site will be open to the public from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with explanatory sessions by excavation staff scheduled at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. In the evening, visitors can enjoy the illuminated night view of the site.

Both the academic conference and the on-site open event are open to the public without prior registration.