Changdeokgung Palace’s Donhwamun Gate, with 417 years of history… Remove the roof and undergo ‘major surgery’ (comprehensive)

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ye-na = Traces of time were evident at the main gate that protected Changdeokgung Palace for over 400 years. There were cracks everywhere and there were dizzying-looking gaps.

The decorative tiles and 'chwidu' (鷲頭) that were placed on the roof of palace buildings during the Joseon Dynasty are half buried, unlike their original appearance. The number of miscellaneous statues suddenly increased from 5 to 7.

At the front are factory-made roof tiles that comply with Korean industrial standards, marked with 'KS', and at the back are handmade roof tiles made using traditional methods, with the weight being shifted to one side.

This is the ‘inside’ of Changdeokgung Palace’s Donhwamun Gate, which has been undergoing major surgery for about two years.

Changdeokgung Palace Donhwamun, a treasure known as the oldest remaining palace gate, is undergoing extensive repair work.

It is a large task that involves repairing or replacing major members that make up the building's skeleton and replacing all 15,000 roof tiles with handmade tiles.

At a press conference held on the 9th, Cho Gyu-hyeong, head of the Palace Relics Division of the National Heritage Administration, explained, “This repair work is a process to preserve the historical value of Donhwamun and pass on its intact appearance.”

This is the first large-scale repair project at Donhwamun in about 29 years since 1997.

At the time, major members, including softwood (rafters), were dismantled and repaired, but it received the lowest rating one after another in recent structural safety inspections, and it has been consistently pointed out that repairs are necessary.

Structural problems were identified in the 2014 inspection, and as a result of the 2020-2022 monitoring (observation) survey, it received an 'E' grade requiring repair for three consecutive years.

In 2022, an expert judgment was made that "given the state of internal and external damage, there is concern that it may lead to structural damage, so prompt action, such as dismantling and repairing the upper roof, is necessary."

The palace ruins headquarters began full-scale work on this day by dismantling the roof tiles.

As the four Dongbang Cultural Heritage officials in charge of construction lifted off the roof tiles one by one, the palace ruins headquarters and Iljin Architects Office, the supervisor, watched the work closely.

Lee Geun-bok, the holder of the National Intangible Heritage Bunwajang, looked at each hand without missing them.

Beonwajang refers to a craftsman who connects roof tiles. This holder has continued his career by building roof tiles for major cultural heritage sites in Korea, such as Sungnyemun Gate in Seoul and the Jeongjeon Hall of Jongmyo Shrine.

This owner said, "When you look at the middle part, it doesn't seem to be as bad as you think," but added, "We need to carefully look at the condition of the tiles that have been placed on the roof for a long time."

The National Heritage Administration plans to begin work sequentially, starting with roof tiles.

After inspecting the inside of the roof, we check whether there are any problems with the overall structure and its condition, and after discussion with experts, we dismantle members such as softwood, eaves, sandals, etc.

In order to reinforce the stability of the roof, we plan to improve the Yangseongbareum, which is finished with plaster, so that the chwidu, which represents the status of a palace, is visible intact.

The number of miscellaneous decorations and the dragon head-shaped decorative tiles and crown will be maintained as before, but the plan is to examine why there are differences by examining photographs from the 1930s.

Approximately 13.5 billion won is expected to be invested in repair and maintenance work.

Construction is scheduled to be completed around October 2028, but it may be extended if the scope of repairs increases beyond the original plan during the process of dismantling and inspecting the building.

During construction, Geumhomun and the fire gate next to it are used as entrances instead of Donhwamun. Whether or not to extend construction is expected to be decided in the first half of next year.

The Palace Relics Headquarters plans to reveal the repair site twice a month.

After applying online, visitors will be able to see the site in person twice a month from the 25th of this month. A viewing room was also set up inside the temporary overlay for construction.

Outside the temporary overlay, a cross-sectional view used during the repair work in 1969 and a picture of Donhwamun were installed to remind citizens of Donhwamun as they passed by.

Director Cho said, “Donhwamun is a building that symbolizes the long history and dignity of the Joseon Dynasty,” and added, “We will apply traditional techniques and appropriate repair techniques based on historical research.”

Donhwamun Gate at Changdeokgung Palace is a building with 5 rooms on the front and 2 rooms on the side.

The name of the gate conveys the meaning that the king bestows great virtue and educates the people.

It was first built in 1412 during the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty (reigned 1400-1418), and was repaired (repairing old and worn-out parts of the building) in 1609 after it was lost during the Japanese invasions of Korea.

It is a two-story pavilion-shaped building and is known to be the largest among the palace gates.

In the past, it was used as an entrance gate when the king visited or major ceremonies were held, and it is said that subjects usually entered and exited through Geumhomun Gate on the west.

Changdeokgung Palace is the place where the king stayed and conducted his affairs for the longest time among the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, and is well known for its harmony with the surrounding nature.

It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, and next year marks the 30th anniversary of its listing.