National Treasure (South Korea)


A National Treasure is a tangible treasure, artifact, site, or building which is recognized by the South Korean government as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value to the country. The title is one of the eight State-designated heritage classifications assigned by the administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Act after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee.
Many of the national treasures are popular tourist destinations such as Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine, Bulguksa, Seokguram, and Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa. As of May 2020, there are 327 distinct entries on the list, some composed of a large number of sub-entries. The treasures are numbered according to the order in which they were designated, not according to their individual value.
The National Treasures are designated within the heritage preservation system of the country.

History

The first list of Korean cultural treasures was designated by Governor-General of Korea in 1938 during the Japanese occupation with "The Act of Treasures of the Joseon dynasty".
In 1955, the South Korean government declared as National Treasures the items previously on the Korean Treasures Preservation Order issued during Japan's occupation of Korea. The current list dates to December 20, 1962, when the Cultural Protection Act was enacted by the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction. There were 116 items on the "National Treasures" list at that time, with others designated as "Treasures".
Numerous amendments have been made to the list since that time, most recently in 2004.
Living National Treasure are holders, or keepers of Intangible Cultural Property.

List of national treasures

1960s

Designated December 20, 1962

Designated March 3, 1964

Designated February 28, 1966

Designated September 16, 1967

Designated December 19, 1968

Designated November 7, 1969

1970s

Designated December 30, 1970-December 21, 1971

Designated March 2, 1972

Designated June 24, 1972

Designated May 4, 1973

Designated July 10, 1973

Designated December 31, 1973

Designated July 9, 1974

Designated December 31, 1974-April 23, 1976

Designated December 14, 1976

Designated August 22, 1977

Designated December 7, 1978

Designated February 8, 1979

Designated May 22, 1979

Designated April 30, 1979

1980s

Designated September 16, 1980

Designated March 18, 1981

Designated May 22, 1982

Designated November 16, 1982

Designated December 7, 1982

Designated May 30, 1984

Designated August 6, 1984

Designated November 15, 1984

Designated December 7, 1984

Designated January 8, 1985

Designated March 3, 1985

Designated March 14, 1986

Designated October 15, 1986

Designated November 29, 1986

Designated March 9, 1987

Designated July 16, 1987

Designated December 26, 1987

Designated June 16, 1988

Designated November 14, 1988

Designated December 28, 1988

Designated April 10, 1989

Designated August 1, 1989 or thereafter