• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.188-209
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• 2009

Dangsan forests had been established by local residents several hundred years ago. They were disturbed in various ways, but still remain in many villages where dangsan festivals are held every year. Although the remaining Dangsan forests represent korean rural cultural landscapes, their characteristics still remain to be uncovered. The objectives of this study were to understand the three elements, Dangsan tree (Divine tree), shrine and stone tower, and to investigate the culture at inland areas and seashore areas relation to Dangsan forests. Twenty cases of Dangsan forests at inland areas and twenty at seashore areas were investigated. There were nine shrines and six stone towers found out of twenty inland Dangsan forests. Fifteen shrines were found out of twenty seashore Dangsan forests. Stone tower was not found at seashore areas. Fifteen events of dangsan festival were investigated. Dangsan festival appeared to have played an important role to preserve Dangsan forests. Based on the findings of this study, Dangsan forests are, as landscape elements at inland and seashore areas, proved to have a potential for the improvement of cultural and natural landscapes in the country.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.52-60
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• 2011

The traditional village forests called Dangsan forest and Bibo forest in Korea represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years. The Natural Monument # 405 named 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' was established by the ancestors who settled in the village about six hundred years ago. The Dangsan ritual had been held in the forest and the ritual started to be held at a shrine since early 1700's. Although the place where Dangsan ritual was held has been transferred from forest to outside forest, the status of Dangsan forest was not changed. The forest has not been known as a Dangsan forest. Instead, it has been known as a Bibo forest with a name meaning roadside forest. It is our duty to hand historic monuments on in full richness of their authenticity. No new construction, demolition or modification which would alter the mass and colour must be allowed. Furthermore, every means must be taken to facilitate the preservation of the monument and to reveal it without distorting its meaning. The 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' is a deciduous forest composed of Quercus aliena, Quercus acutissima, and Sophora japonica, with a size of $920{\times}90m$ at the side of a stream. An old Sophora japonica tree known as a scholar tree indicates that this forest is related to confucianism. The name 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' does not seem to be correct. In fact, the traditional village forest in Sachon-ri was a riparian buffer. The 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' need to be changed to 'Dangsan forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong'. With a correction on name and authenticity restored, the value of cultural heritage in Sachon-ri would be recognized effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.82-91
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• 2007

Rural areas dominate country landscape, where the population is rich in traditional and natural heritage. Dangsan forests and Rural community forests (RCF) have been maintained by local residents for hundreds of years. However, many of these forests have been disturbed, and only small amount of Dangsan forests and the RCF remain due to the efforts of local residents. Recently, the remnants of Dangsan forests and RCF have been regarded as living traditional landscapes representing the cultural and rural background of Korea. But the value of Dangsan forests and the RCFs has not been recognized by many. This study aims to understand the characteristics and management status of Dangsan forests in Sungnam-ri, Wonju. Sungnam-ri has four villages, each of which is bordered by a Dangsan forest at the riparian buffer. Sungnam-ri has been selsected as a site for a rural village development project by the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry of Korea. Sunghwanglim (the Upper Dangsan forest) is designated as Natural Monument No.93 and entrance is limited in this area. The size of Sunghwanglim is $21,133m^2$, and the major tree species are Kalopanax pictus (Dangsan tree, Divine tree), Pinus densiflora, Abies holophylla, Acer triflorum, Ulmus davidiana, Fraxinus rhynchophylla and Quercus serrata. In total, 124 trees with more than 40 cm in DBH are at this site. As for cultural activities, the Dangsan festival is held on April 8th and September 9th of the lunar calendar at shrines in the forests. Although other Dangsan forests are smaller than Sunghwanglim, they also have similar cultural activities. The landscape of the Dangsan forests have been managed for several hundred years by the local people, and they intend to continue maintaining the Dangsan forests for the purpose of festivals and other cultural activities. The findings in this study suggest that Dangsan forests have the potential for the development of rural villages and for the improvement of cultural and natural landscapes in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.138-161
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• 2011

The 'Jwasuyeongseongji' (Site of naval wall-fortress in Suyeong) in Busan is the subject of this study. It has been desturbed mostly, and is named 'Suyeong historic site'. One of the important aspects of 'Jwasuyeongseongji' is that it was a historic place confronting with the Japanese Invasion of Chosun in 1592. This was the place where the Japanese Invasion of Chosun broke out and a number of people were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders. Now the place is converted to a playground. Although 'Jwasuyeongseongji' is the place of historic interest, the forest area is separated by paths and sidewalks. Further, there are sports facilities and relaxing people. Examples of advanced countries show that the abuse like Jwaisuyeongseongji is thoroughly prohibited. Although the Dangsan forest of jwasuyeongseongji remains in the megalopolis of Busan, it has been damaged and abused in spite of being a historic site. Nevertheless, Jwasuyeongseongji is an invaluable traditional cultural heritage. The objective of this study was to search for solutions of authenticity restoration for the remains of Dangsan forest at Jwasuyeongseongji in Busan. The Dangsan forest at Jwasuyeongseongji is a forest of Pinus thunbergii in an area of $130{\times}230m$. Jwasuyeongseongji is currently named Suyeong historic park, and is registered as monuments No. 8 by Suyeong-gu, Busan. The two Dangsan trees at Jwasuyeongseongji are registered as natural monuments No. 270 and No. 311. The complex management system needs to be designated as 'Dangsan forest of Jwasuyeongseongji in Busan', and managed as a natural monument or national historic site. Dangsan forest has a meaning of divine place. Therefore, the artificial facilities need to be removed from Dangsan forest so that the original features are restored with the spirit of Jwasuyeongseongji. Also, the administration needs to be transfered from Suyeong-gu, Busan to the Cultural Heritage Administration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.13-24
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• 2010

Beopseongpo has been one of the most thriving ports of the Jeolla region since the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). During the time of King Seongjong (r. 1469-1494) of Choseon Dynasty, a navy garrison had been deployed and the port was named Beopseongjin, as recorded in the 1485 edition of Grand code for state administration (Gyeongguk daejeon). Dangsan forests and Bibo forests have been maintained by local residents since hundreds of years ago. Dangsan forests have been applied to the scale of government and public offices. The objectives of this study were to understand the characteristics of the "Wooded Fortress of Beopseongjin in Yeonggwang" as "Scenic Site No. 22", and to investigate the conservational problem of the wooded fortress of Beopseongjin and seashore. The "Wooded fortress of Beopseongjin in Yeonggwang" consists of a Dangsan forest and two Bibo forests. But, the presence of the Dangsan forest has not been well known to the public. Although the wooded fortress has been somewhat disturbed by cultural activities, the Dangsan rituals have been held until the present every January 15 by lunar calendar. On the other hand, the seashore in front of Beopseongpo plays an important role as a scenic view. It was one of the reason that the "Wooded fortress of Beopseongjin in Yeonggwang" had been designated as a national cultural property of "Scenic Sites". However, the sandbar was reclaimed in 2009 to build commercial buildings. An integrated plan should be prepared to conserve the landscape of "Wooded fortress of Beopseongjin in Yeonggwang", which requires close partnership among local residents, experts, and local government. At present, four new buildings have been built. Although we have lost the sandbar, it is indispensable to secure the visibility of Wooded Fortress of Beopseongjin at the entrance of the village.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2015

UNESCO and IUCN established the term of 'Sacred Natural Sites' (areas of land or water having special spiritual significance to peoples and communities) for conservation of biological and cultural diversity. Dangsan forest, a traditional village forests of rural Korea is a representative 'Sacred Natural Site' with a history of more than several hundred years of Dangsan ritual. The Chungmak village, Gyeokpo-ri, Buan-gun is a small seashore village. It is an important place that has the largest ancient maritime ritual sites in Korea. Buan-gun have been tried to register the 'Chungmak-dong Ritual Site' for the World Heritage List. However, the fact that this 'Chungmak-dong Ritual Site'(5~6 century, Baekje of the Three-kingdom period) was located in the Dangsan forest, surrounding the shrine, is not much understood. In this study, the landscape characteristics and culture of the sacred Dangsan forest at Gyeokpo-ri, including Gyeokpo-ri, Dae-ri, Naesosa temple Seokpo-ri, Buan-gun and Dongho-ri, Gochang-gun were investigated. And, the potential of registering for World Heritage, 'Protected Area of Sacred Natural Sites' by linking the four site's Dangsan forests has been investigated. The sacred Dangsan forests in the neighborhood of Gyeokpo-ri have kept their landscape characteristics and retained Dangsan ritual. As a result of SWOT analysis for sacred natural sites, WT(weakness-threat) strategy has chosen as priority strategy. The reason is that there is few management scheme. The Dangsan forests at the neighborhood of Gyeokpo-ri need to be recognized by people in Korea, for their valuable landscape characteristics. The places should be managed and protected to remain as a sacred natural sites in order to be prepared for a World Heritage.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2014

Traditional village forests called Dangsan forests represent unique cultural landscape as a national cultural asset in Korea with a history of more than several hundred years. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained their authenticity and management scheme. The Dangsan forests established in a large area have been designated as a natural monument by Cultural Heritage Administration. Small scale Dangsan forests, however, are not introduced to the public and on the verge of disappearance. Dangsan forests have a value as a core landscape element in rural landscapes of Korea. The two villages at Ijeon-ri, Cheongsong-gun have small Dangsan forests where Dangsan ritual is performed. At one of the villages, there is Jusanji Reservoir designated for Scenic Site # 105, from which the water is used for growing crops. In this study, the landscape characteristics of the Dangsan forests were investigated including rice paddy field, stream, and the Jusanji Reservoir. A conservation measure of rural landscape for sustainable management scheme was suggested by designating 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology'. Dangsan forests, especially where they are in small scale like those of Ijeon-ri, tend to be neglected. The Dangsan forests ought to be recognized for their value and by providing a management scheme including neighborhood elements such as farm fields and streams they can be revitalized to be core areas for conservation of rural landscape.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.924-934
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• 2013

Traditional village forests in the Jeju Island represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years as a national cultural asset in Korea. There are 368 Oreums, parasitic volcanoes, and 391 shrines of Dang(Divine place) in Jeju. Currently, the shrines of Dang are damaged by the Jeju Olle trail path and road constructions. It's time for cultural consents to be obtained with locality and globality. And need to produce our own unique contents, glocal cultural contents. In this study, the establishment of trail path of Jeoji Oreum in relation to the Dang in the Jeju Island was investigated. By linking the Dangsan forest to the Jeoji Oreum trail path, it enables the path to contact with traditional cultural landscape. Rural villages in Jeju with the Oreum and Dang are expected to get an international attention as to have traditional cultural landscapes of Korea. It needs to be managed to retain their original form and in connection with the trail path.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.492-501
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• 2012

Recently, there has been a increasing interest in Sacred natural sites. Sacred natural sites areas defined as "areas of land or water having special spiritual significance to a specific ethnicity or community. This research studies theoretically about the concept and value, the management principle of Sacred natural sites. In addition, status of the domestic natural monument plants that can applicate the values of the Sacred natural sites were analyzed and its characteristics were scanned. In analysis, 63 natural monument plants could be corresponded also they have biodiversity value, landscape and aesthetic values, cultural values, tour resources values. These are same as the general values of sacred natural sites. This research will contribute as a basis to register of sacred natural sites in korea. This study has the importance that plant of natural monuments of view point that natural sacred sites out of the importance internationally conditions. A follow-up research is required to ascertain natural sacred sites would getting concertely and practical case study.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2012

Traditional village forests in Jeju Island represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years as a national cultural asset in Korea. In this paper, the characteristics and meaning of traditional village forests in Jeju Island was compared with the Dangsan and Bibo forests at inland. There are 368 Oreums, parasitic volcano, and 391 shrines of Dang(Divine place) in Jeju. Life, culture and tradition of rural villages are all connected with the Dang and Oreum in Jeju. It has been found from this study that the village in Jeju were established as a cultural landscape on the surface of natural landscape. The features of traditional villages focused on the Dang and Oreum in Jeju Island were similar to the Dangsan and Bibo forestsat inland villages. The Oreum represents mountain and the Pojedan forest is newly found in Sangmyung-ri. The seashore areas are covered by vaocanic rocks in Jeju and large scale windbreaks are hardly found. The stone tower at Sinheung-ri built for blocking sand movement represents Bibo forest. The special attribute of the Dang in Jeju is that it is close to real life and believers are still remain. In 2009, the Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut ritual was nominated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The shrine of Dang, however, has been degraded fast by construction of seashore road and Jeju Olle trail path. As for the world cultural heritage discussed at international conferences, it is important that there is sustainability on the right to enjoy cultural heritage. Integrated efforts from local residents, local governments and national government are needed to set up a management scheme for the Dang culture. Rural villages in Jeju with the Dang and Oreum are expected to get an international attention as to have traditional cultural landscapes of Korea.