Publications
Carbon Storage Assessment of Changdeokgung Palace Forest Based on Biomass Allometric Equations†
Changdeokgung Palace Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ecosystem Conservation Area, stores approximately 7,905.26 tons of carbon across its canopy and sub-canopy layers. This finding underscores the significant ecological value of urban palace forests, particularly those dominated by large-diameter and ancient trees like Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino, which contributed the most to carbon storage despite being fewer in number. The study, conducted from 2020 to 2023 across 759 sample plots, used biomass allometric equations to quantify carbon storage in 7,988 trees, providing a baseline for assessing the functional value of historical landscapes. Dominant species varied by terrain, with xeric oaks thriving on ridges and slopes, while Quercus aliena Blume and others prevailed in valley areas. The research highlights the importance of preserving such forests not only for their cultural heritage but also for their critical role in urban carbon sequestration.
Exploring the Modern Production Process of Traditional Patterns Based on Digital Design - Focusing on the Patterns of Changdeokgung Nakseonjae -
Digital design technology can standardize and adapt the aesthetic value of traditional cultural heritage, such as the patterns of Changdeokgung Palace Complex's Nakseonjae, to modern lifestyle product specifications without compromising its core identity. This study confirms that a design adaptation process based on morphological analysis allows for flexible expansion into diverse product lines while preserving traditional aesthetics. Additionally, it demonstrates how combining digital precision with traditional craftsmanship in prototype production merges the intangible qualities of digital data with the tangible nature of handcrafted materials. The research contributes to the potential transformation of preservation-focused heritage data into high-value commercial products, supporting the development of a Korean cultural ecosystem with strong identity and economic viability.
The Cultural Biography of Wood and Late Joseon Architectural Technology: Focusing on the Changdeokgung Yeonggeon Dogam Uigwe (1834)
A study reveals that the reconstruction of Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace (1834) was significantly shaped by the physical constraints of timber, demonstrating how natural materials actively influenced architectural design and state logistics. The research shows that the inability to source ideal timber forced the expansion of a nationwide logistical network, ultimately reducing the hall's scale from 45 to 36 bays. This 'cultural biography' of wood highlights its role as an active agent in reshaping royal space, challenging idealized historical records and emphasizing the interplay between material resistance and architectural innovation.
Meaning of the Construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace Garden Outside Sinmu-Gate – The Experience of Changdeokgung Palace and Heungseon Daewongun's Architectural Intention –
A new analysis reveals that the garden construction outside Sinmu-Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by Heungseon Daewongun during its 18th-century reconstruction, was a deliberate architectural and political strategy to re-establish Joseon-era governance structures. The study demonstrates that this design choice, featuring administrative buildings like Yungmunjeong and Yungmujeong, mirrored the spatial organization of early Joseon palaces, reinforcing Confucian political ideals by physically separating civil and military institutions while maintaining symbolic continuity with traditional palace layouts. By integrating past examination sites such as Gyeongmudae into the garden's layout, the reconstruction aimed to revive historical governance models, blending functional utility with ideological symbolism.
Newly introduction of indoor passages in Changdeokgung Palace in the early twentieth century: a typological analysis and its architectural implications
A groundbreaking transformation occurred at Changdeokgung Palace between 1907 and 1920, marking the first introduction of fully enclosed indoor passages in traditional Korean palace architecture. This study reveals two distinct passage types—Corridors, which connected separate buildings and were later removed during restorations, and Hallways, which organized interior space within single buildings and became universally standardized post-independence. The findings challenge prior assumptions about colonial imposition, demonstrating instead a complex hybridity where traditional and modern spatial concepts coexisted. By analyzing historical drawings, newspapers, and restoration documents, the research refines architectural typology frameworks and extends postcolonial hybridity theory to palace architecture, offering critical insights for heritage preservation that recognize multiple legitimate historical layers.
Reconstructing memory through adaptive heritage: a comparative analysis of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung in UNESCO discourse
A comparative analysis of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces reveals that Gyeongbokgung, despite its exclusion from UNESCO World Heritage recognition due to reconstruction, embodies adaptive heritage principles by reflecting Korea’s postcolonial transformations and evolving national identity. The study challenges conventional heritage frameworks rooted in the Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD), emphasizing symbolic reappropriation and historical rupture. Using a case analysis and text mining of over 90,000 news articles, the research highlights Gyeongbokgung’s cultural and interpretive potential as adaptive heritage, advocating for more inclusive and context-sensitive approaches to World Heritage evaluation in East Asia.
Korean-Western Blended Interior Style and Its Meaning in the Korean Royal Palaces During the Japanese Colonial Period - Focused on the Daejojeon and Huijeongdang in Changdeokgung Palace -
During Japan's colonial rule over Korea, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex's Daejojeon and Huijeongdang showcased a unique fusion of Korean and Western interior design elements. This blend, characterized by traditional Korean aesthetics in upper sections and Western influences—particularly French—below, reflected both colonial political pressures and evolving domestic sensibilities toward Western decoration. The study reveals that this eclecticism was not merely a product of modernity but also a response to Japan's own cultural synthesis with the West, offering insights into Korea's interior design industry during this period.
3D Risk Mapping of Hazard Tree in Changdeokgung Palace
Researchers developed a novel method to predict potential failure zones and impulses from falling trees, which poses significant risks to heritage structures. By establishing a formula that calculates these hazards based on tree height, weight, and surrounding terrain, the study created detailed 3D risk maps for Changdeokgung Palace Complex in South Korea. Using Rhino3D and Grasshopper algorithms, the team analyzed critical areas such as Yeongyeongdang Hall and Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, identifying high-risk zones where falling trees could impact nearby buildings or visitors. This approach enables proactive risk assessment, efficient management of hazardous trees, and the formulation of disaster prevention strategies to safeguard both cultural heritage and public safety.
A Research on the Classical Chinese Literary Heritage related to Changdeokgung Palace through Changdeokgungji - Focusing on the King’s Writings -
A significant portion of classical Chinese literary heritage related to Changdeokgung Palace, particularly the king's writings, remains understudied despite its historical and cultural value. This study highlights that while architectural and historical research on the palace is extensive, there has been scant attention to the Hanliterary legacy associated with it. Focusing on the 'Changdeokgungji' manuscript, specifically the 'Aje' (御製) poems, the research examines the thematic consciousness embedded in these royal writings. The findings underscore a pressing need for deeper exploration of this literary corpus, which could provide richer insights into the cultural and political dynamics of the Joseon Dynasty.
A Study on the Political Function and the King's movement path in the Palace Garden of Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Reign of King Gojong
Research reveals that King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty utilized diverse movement paths and locations within Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces for governance, challenging traditional assumptions about royal activities being confined to specific buildings. The study identifies three distinct routes to Chundangdae in Changdeokgung Palace and four to Gyeongmudae in Gyeongbokgung Palace, highlighting their strategic significance and proximity to the king's residence. These paths, used during events like Gwageo (science examinations) and Jeongang (royal lectures), suggest a deliberate effort to balance accessibility with secrecy. The analysis of historical records provides new insights into the political functions of palace gardens, offering a nuanced understanding of royal movement dynamics during King Gojong's reign.
An Inference of Plot Design Method Applied to Pavilions in the Rear Garden of Changdeokgung Palace as World Cultural Heritage
Researchers have inferred a conventional plot design method used by Joseon Dynasty engineers for pavilions in the Rear Garden of Changdeokgung Palace. The study suggests that these engineers employed a geometrical approach using non-gauged rulers or strings to determine the position of pavilion pillars, likely without numeric scale bars or protractors. By analyzing actual measurement plot design layouts and overlaying basic figures like circles and lines, the team reconstructed the sequential processes of this method, which was validated against the complex structure of Buyongjeong Pavilion. This finding provides a new understanding of traditional Korean garden pavilion design techniques from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), offering insights into historical architectural practices without relying on original design documents.
A Comparative Study on the Bat Gate in the Architecture of Joseon and Cheongdae Palace －Focusing on Nakseonjae in Changdeokgung Palace and Gongwangbu in Beijing－
A comparative analysis of the 'Bat Gate' motif in Joseon and Qing dynasty palaces reveals distinct national stylistic adaptations despite shared origins. The study found that while both cultures adopted the motif—popularized during China's Qing dynasty—Joseon's implementation, particularly in Nakseonjae at Changdeokgung Palace, was more abstract and simplified compared to the precise, symbolically rich designs seen in Beijing's Gongwangbu. This divergence reflects underlying cultural differences, even as both regions drew from similar historical influences, including ceremonial exchanges during King Jeongjo's reign (late 18th century). The research bridges gaps in prior studies by tracing the motif's reception and evolution through architectural elements like walls, columns, railings, and window frames.
A Study on Restoration of Mounting the Four-fold Screen of the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks in Injeongjeon, Changdeokgung Palace: Focusing on Adhesion and Stabilization Treatment for Gold Leaf
Researchers identified optimal adhesive formulations for stabilizing gold leaf on the Four-fold Screen of the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks, a Joseon Dynasty royal painting at Changdeokgung Palace. They found that a 5:1 (v/v) mixture of rabbit skin glue (5%) and funori (4%) provided superior adhesion, while coating the gold leaf surface with 1% rabbit skin glue enhanced its yellow hue without compromising stability. The study employed comparative analysis of viscosity, adhesion properties, color values, and gloss before and after stabilization treatment, offering a targeted solution to prevent peeling caused by environmental degradation.
Characteristics of Space and Decoration in the Main Halls of Changdeokgung Palace in Modern Period of Korea
Changdeokgung Palace Complex underwent significant transformations during Korea's modern period, blending traditional and foreign influences under political pressures. The study reveals that the palace's main halls—Injeongjeon, Seonjeongjeon, and Daejojeon—were adapted to reflect forced modernity, incorporating Japanese industrial crafts, European Japonisme furniture, and Qing-style Peranakan elements, while retaining traditional court paintings. This fusion of styles, driven by Japan’s colonial intentions in the early 20th century, created a unique hybrid aesthetic that merged cultural diversity with political necessity. The research highlights how these changes laid the foundation for modern craftsmanship, even amid occupation, demonstrating Korea's adaptive capacity during a turbulent era.
The Implementation of the ‘Regency Ceremony’ and the Ceremony of Enthronement in the 19th Century
A significant shift in royal succession rituals occurred during the 19th century at Changdeokgung Palace Complex, with the introduction of the 'Regency Ceremony' ('垂簾聽政儀') to formalize the role of a regent queen. This ceremony, first implemented upon Sunjo's ascension in 1800, marked a departure from traditional practices by moving the Enthronement ceremony away from the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace to Injeongmun Gate within Changdeokgung. The study reveals that subsequent kings followed this new protocol, which involved ascending the throne at Hwangyeongjeon Hall and then proceeding to Huijeongdang Hall for the Regency Ceremony. This ritual change underscored the formalization of regency power and its close association with coronation ceremonies, providing insight into the evolution of royal governance structures during this period.
Ecological Characteristics and Changes to the Forest in the Rear Garden at Changdeokgung, a World Cultural Heritage Site
Soil acidification and declining organic matter threaten the biodiversity of Changdeokgung Palace Complex’s Rear Garden. Research analyzing soil characteristics, vegetation structure, and historical data from 1986–2018 reveals significant ecological instability, with the forest transitioning from Pinus densiflora to Quercus aliena dominance but lacking stable understory layers. High densities of Acer pseudosieboldianum, Acer palmatum, and Sorbus alnifolia disrupt ecosystem stability, necessitating targeted vegetation management. The study underscores the need for heritage site conservation strategies rooted in ecological succession and historical context to mitigate urbanization-driven degradation.
Scientific Comparison Study on the Joseon Dynasty Palace Roof Tiles and Modern Handmade Roof Tiles
Modern roof tiles differ significantly from Joseon Dynasty palace roof tiles in firing temperature, density, and structural properties. Analysis of chromaticity, cross-sectional structure, component composition, and crystal structure revealed that Joseon-era tiles exhibit higher porosity, greater water absorption, and a wider color range, with unvitrified clay minerals and low-temperature mineral peaks like micas. In contrast, modern handmade tiles show denser clay materials and no such mineral peaks, indicating higher firing temperatures. Principal component analysis of trace elements in Joseon tiles suggests consistent sourcing from specific regions during their manufacture, implying standardized clay mix proportions. This study provides critical insights into the manufacturing techniques and technological evolution of roof tiles over centuries.
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