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CHA to propose ‘seowon’ for UNESCO heritage

December 10, 2013
Donam Seowon is located in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) plans to propose nine “seowon” (Neo-Confucian academy) for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for 2015. (Korea Times file)

Donam Seowon is located in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) plans to propose nine “seowon” (Neo-Confucian academy) for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for 2015. (Korea Times file)

By Chung Ah-young

The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) plans to propose “seowon” (Neo-Confucian academy) for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for 2015.

The nine academies proposed are Sosu Seowon (in Yeongju); Namgye Seowon (in Hamyang); Oksan Seowon (in Gyeongju); Dosan Seowon (in Andong); Pilam Seowon (in Jangseong); Dodong Seowon (in Dalseong); Byeongsan Seowon (in Andong); Donam Seowon (in Nonsan); and Museong Seowon (in Jeongeup).

The CHA said that these schools are regarded as the best preserved among some 637 schools still remaining in Korea. Compared to other schools across the country, the nine academies reveal their obvious excellence in terms of outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity.

“The seowon holds extraordinary, universal value, which is one of the important factors to meet the standards of the UNESCO’s World Heritage registration in that the literati class completed and realized Joseon’s Neo-Confucianism through seowon and its architectural structures are in harmony with natural landscapes,” said the CHA.

The government will submit the registration application to UNESCO by January 2015.

The seowon flourished during the Joseon Kingom (1392-1910) when they served as Confucian educational institutions to nurture scholars and spread the dominant ideology. Also, they were local footholds of the Joseon’s neo-Confucian literati class, to discussions about state affairs.

The first Confucian academy was launched by the Magistrate of Punggi County, Ju Se-bung in 1543, better known as Baegungdong Seowon in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. In 1550, Baegundong Seowon was recognized by King Myeongjong and changed its name into Sosu Seowon, becoming the first seowon endorsed by the king.