• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.60-72
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• 2022

A number of wooden built heritage remain in Korea, and most have been damaged by various biological factors including termite. Owing to the irreversible damage caused by termites, wooden built heritage are losing their authenticity and structural stability. In this study, Area-Wide Integrated Termite Management(AW-ITM) was proposed to prevent termite damage. First, to understand the locational characteristics of these sites, the distance from adjacent forests and surrounding forest areas was analyzed for 182 national designated wooden built heritage(national treasures, treasures) using the Geographic Information System(GIS). By analyzing existing pest control projects(2003-2020) and the components of the ITM, the characteristics of termite control for cultural heritages were determined. Based on these results, the cultural heritage sites and their surrounding spaces were divided into three areas, and the types of cultural properties were divided into six types according to the location and number of buildings. Along with this, termite control measures were proposed for each area and type. The concept of AW-ITM has been partially applied to the "Comprehensive Control of Termites in wooden built heritages Sites" by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Caution must be taken with regard to the establishment of a cultural heritage management policy; AW-ITM should be applied on a trial basis with the results then being carefully analyzed and reflected in the establishment of policies pertaining to the conservation management of cultural heritage.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.194-215
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• 2021

Termites are important decomposers in the ecosystem. They are also economically significant structural pests. In this study, we reviewed the developments of termite control and recent research on termite management to provide information on the prevention and control of termites. In Korea, most of the damage to wooden historical buildings is caused by subterranean termites. Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis is the main species, which is widely found throughout the country. In the early 1900s, inorganic insecticides, such as arsenic dust, were used for termite control. After the synthesis of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide in the 1940s, it was widely utilized and demonstrated high termite control efficacy. However, chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides were later banned, disappearing from markets after reports emerged concerning environmental contamination and toxicity to humans. Therefore, the termite control industry sought a new termiticide; hence many pesticides were utilized for termite control. Organophosphate (1960s), carbamate (1970s), pyrethroid, and insect growth inhibitor (1980s) were newly synthesized and adopted. In the 1990s, the first commercial baits using chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) were developed, providing a means to eliminate an entire colony of subterranean termites around a structure. Many studies have been carried out on soil termiticides (liquid termiticides) and CSI baits to increase their efficacy, and different baits such as aboveground bait stations, fluid bait, and high-durability bait were also developed in the 2000s. In addition, the paradigm of termite control has shifted from localized treatments using soil termiticides to area-wide pest management using CSI baits to create termite-free zones and protect buildings over time. Termite infestations in wooden historical buildings in Korea have been reported since 1980, and considerable attention was drawn in the 1990s when several UNESCO world heritages such as the Jongmyo Shrine and the Janggyeong Panjeon Depositories of Haeinsa Temple were infested by subterranean termites. Since then, a survey of termite infestation in wooden architectural heritage has been conducted, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Care Program regularly monitors those properties. Finally, we suggest termite management using primarily CSI baits, selective application of various soil treatments applied to the object, foundation soil treatment, research and development of durable termite baits, application of area-wide programs for wooden-building complexes, application of integrated termite management (ITM), and regular education for owners and managers to prevent and reduce termite damage.