Short Presentation of the Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust for Preservation of the Koguryo Tombs and mural paintings in the DPRK Junhi HAN UNESCO/World Heritage Centre

Content Description of the Project Objectives of the Project UNESCO’s strategy for strengthening national capacity for the conservation of the Koguryo tombs and paintings, as one of the current UNESCO project’s long term objectives Scope of the future project and its objectives

The First ROK/UNESCO FIT project in 2000 (U$100,000)for the Yaksuri tomb: mainly equipment provision project, however, thanks to a fact-finding mission sent to the Site, accurate information about the state of mural painting, as well as the assessment of national capacity both at the human resources level and the infrastructure level were obtained. This served as a basis for UNESCO to establish future strategy designed exactly according to the crucial and immediate needs of the DPRK in the field of conservation and management of their cultural heritage sites including World Heritage Sites.

IV. DPRK authorities’ conservation efforts before UNESCO intervention : The DPRK has been completely isolated from outside world, as such they have also been isolated by the latest conservation currents:  Efforts, aimed at conserving the koguryo tombs and mural paintings, carried out without systematic and specific study, research of the tombs and mural paintings  Well qualified specialists, but using outdated research methods and unsuitable equipment, which can alter result in the preservation action

III. Request made by the DPRk Authorities Training of the staffs of the KCPC (Korean Cultural Properties Preservation Centre) Infrastructure necessary for the conservation of the Kogruyo tombs and mural painting

UNESCO project proposal  Project title : Establishment of the strategies for the sustainable conservation and management of Koguryo tombs and their mural paintings  Donor : Cultural Heritage Administration (here after CHA) in Republic of Korea OK  Budgets : 500,088 US$  Duration : 4 years ( 2003 – 2006)

V. Second ROK/UNESCO FIT for the preservation of the Koguryo tombs and mural paintings for US$ 500,088 ( )  UNESCO developed a project proposal aiming : to assist the DPRK authorities in effectively safeguarding and preserving the outstanding Koguryo cultural heritage; to ensure the mot important issue, i.e. sustainable conservation and management of the Koguryo tombs and mural paintings through enhancement of national capacity in human resources and infrastructure.

V-2. UNESCO/CH’s 4 years mid-term conservation project proposal  Main Activities : 1.Organize the training workshop on the conservation of mural paintings (4years- programmed the intensive trainings) 2.Conserve the Yaksuri Tomb 3.Provide assistance equipments for a laboratory and a library 4.Organize of international workshop

 To introduce, an appropriate conservation methodology by carrying out systematic, scientific data collection, and study on each tomb to be preserved.  To update and upgrade conservation techniques, philosophy and use of compatible materials especially for the preservation of mural paintings in order to extend to other monuments and objects in museums in the DPRK.  To focus on the scientific study based on the ancient technique of execution as well as the material used for the mural paintings.  To put together a multidisciplinary team able to deal with daily maintenance and conservation of these tombs and mural paintings V-3 UNESCO’s strategy to achieve through the implementation of the second ROK/UNESCO FIT

Result of the Project a basic national capacity in conservation has been built and a multi-disciplinary team established Basic conservation and scientific laboratory have been installed Basic monitoring system for the tombs have been established

Phase III UENSCO/ROK FIT for Koguryo tombs Budget: US$ 1,000, 312 Period: Objectives: Continuing reinforcement of national capacity through on-site job training and fellowship programmes provided to the selected national experts

Objectives: Safeguarding the Koguryo Tombs and mural paintings (two selected tombs) Continuing reinforcement of national capacity through on- site job training and fellowship programmes provided to the selected national experts Establishment a comprehensive management plan including tourism management Continuing research including technique of execution of the mural paintings and provide more visibility of the project through various publication (ex: publication of a documentation of Susanri-Tomb, the first tomb to be preserved within the project)

Mission pictures

First training workshop in the DPRK

Thank you for your attention Junhi HAN UNESCO/ Cultural Heritage Division