Jeju Gwandeokjeong Pavilion, which was once a national treasure, became a treasure... Promotion of national treasure re-elevation

Jeju Gwandeokjeong Pavilion, which was previously designated as a national treasure but was reclassified as a national treasure, is being promoted again to become a national treasure.

According to Jeju Island, the Jeju Studies Research Center, and the Jeju Journalism Society on the 8th, the possibility of Gwandeokjeong being promoted to a national treasure, academic review for this purpose, and ways to build consensus in the community were discussed at the 'Gwandeokjeong, Square to Remember Jeju' academic seminar held at Staz Hotel Heritage in Jeju City on the 6th.

Kim Tae-gon, head of the Jeju Island World Heritage Headquarters Cultural Heritage Department, who gave a presentation on the day, suggested the possibility of it being promoted to a national treasure by connecting the architectural characteristics of Gwandeokjeong with the urban structure of Jeju Town Wall.

Manager Kim explained that Gwandeokjeong is not just an old building, but an important cultural heritage in that it is a space where the history and memories of Jeju's original downtown and the lives of residents are accumulated.

He expressed his intention to pursue this, saying that considering the symbolism and long-standing historical location of Gwandeokjeong as a cultural heritage representing Jeju, the elevation of Gwandeokjeong to a national treasure has great significance.

He then explained that he will conduct an academic review with experts next year and connect with local residents to consider ways to utilize Gwandeokjeong Pavilion after it is promoted to a national treasure.

Gwandeokjeong Pavilion was designated as National Treasure No. 478 in 1959, but was reclassified as Treasure No. 322 in 1963 following a reorganization of the national cultural heritage designation system following the enactment of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act in 1962.

However, the mere fact that it was a national treasure in the past does not mean it can become a national treasure again.

Its architectural originality, historical significance, and state of preservation must be compared with other cultural heritage to prove its value as a national treasure.

Previously, Yeongnamru Pavilion in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do and Jukseoru Pavilion in Samcheok, Gangwon-do were promoted to national treasures in 2023, and Gwanghallu Pavilion in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do was also promoted to national treasures in July of this year, 63 years after its designation as a treasure.

In particular, Gwanghallu Pavilion was shelved in the 2023 deliberation for national treasure status due to insufficient historical research on its construction period and style, but was designated as a national treasure after further investigation.

Manager Kim emphasized that in order to promote Gwandeokjeong as a national treasure, it is important to systematically organize Jeju's unique uniqueness and historical location, accumulate academic evidence, and form a consensus among local residents.

Previously, Jeju Island pushed for the promotion of 'Tamna Sunryeokdo', a documentary album depicting Jeju during the Joseon Dynasty, as a national treasure, but it was rejected during deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee in 2022 on the grounds that it did not meet the requirements for designation as a national treasure.

Jeju is the only region among the 17 cities and provinces in the country that does not have a national treasure.

Gwandeokjeong Pavilion was built in 1448, the 30th year of King Sejong's reign, by the martial arts master Shin Suk-cheong for soldier training and martial arts training, and is the oldest existing building in Jeju.

It is a single-story wooden building with 5 rooms on the front and 4 rooms on the sides, and has a unique architectural style such as an open structure on all sides and long eaves.

Together with Jeju Mok-gwana, which was the political, administrative, and cultural center of Jeju during the Joseon Dynasty, it has formed the central space of Jeju's original downtown.

In the square in front of Gwandeokjeong, during the Joseon Dynasty, archery competitions, civil service exams, and Ipchun-gut were held, and an event was also held where Jeju pastors checked the truth they would say to the king.

It is also the site of major events in Jeju's modern and contemporary history, such as the 1901 New Construction Uprising and the 1947 March 1st Incident, which sparked the Jeju April 3 Incident.

In 1924, during the Japanese colonial period, Gwandeokjeong suffered from having part of its eaves cut off because it was blocked by surrounding roads, and during repair work in 1969, doors were installed on all sides, damaging its original open structure.

Afterwards, it underwent several repairs and restorations and was restored to its current appearance in 2006.