London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

The art of hanok living

Aging hanoks in Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu
Aging hanoks in Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu (photo: 중앙일보 안성식)

It’s good to see westerners other other than David Kilburn pointing out that you don’t have to demolish a Hanok to make it inhabitable: http://bit.ly/4GWamM #. Peter Bartholomew and Tom Coyner in the Joongang Daily.

There is a belief in Korea (and other Asian countries) that total demolition of an old traditional building and new construction of a similar structure in its place is an acceptable procedure for restoration and preservation of old buildings.

This goes against all norms and fundamental criteria for heritage building preservation throughout the world.

Regrettably, this has been the procedure in Bukchon for most of the hanok “restorations.” This is totally unnecessary.

The article was in response to a Jongang Ilbo feature entitled The debate over hanok heating up on 10 November 2009

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