Opinions on increasing the utilization of Korean seowon, a glocal humanities space

Korean Seowon, Neo-Confucian academies inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2019, require innovative utilization strategies to balance preservation and modern engagement. A recent study proposes that while current policies focus on traditional cultural experiences, scholar-scholarship programs, and youth education, they lack flexibility for regular use of these sites. The research highlights the need for unique content tailored to each Seowon, active local government support, and professional expertise in planning and implementation. The 100 Seowon Project, which collects data from individual sites to create educational materials and promotional resources, serves as a model for nationwide expansion. This project, when scaled with government backing, could significantly enhance public interest and sustainable utilization of Seowon heritage.

Lee, B.-h. (2025). Opinions on increasing the utilization of Korean seowon, a glocal humanities space. Institute of Korean Cultural Studies Yeungnam University, 90, 213–249. https://doi.org/10.15186/ikc.2025.8.31.07