• Journal of architectural history
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.7-18
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• 2023

Recognizing that the debate on the original form of the Seokguram Grotto is closely related to the mythologization of the Seokguram Grotto, which is far from factual understanding, this paper is prepared to restore the Seokguram Grotto based on scientific facts. To this end, we will first analyze its active meaning and fiction from three directions: the founding legend, the rediscovery story, and the concept and discourse of the Line of sight for Buddha statue (對佛像視準線), which have contributed to the mythologization of the Seokguram Grotto. The original restoration of the Seokguram Grotto should be based on a scientific understanding of the Seokguram space. However, past debates and restoration attempts have been based on imagination and not on scientific knowledge. Therefore, Chapter 3 attempts a scientific analysis of the light environment of thr Seokguram Grotto and critically examines the existing errors and realistic mythological images to correct the public's spatial perception of Seokguram's architecture and to propose a rational restoration of Seokguram's architectural space.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.89-100
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to critically review the repair works of Seokguram architecture and to search for its original form and space. Seokguram's architectural form has been transformed throughout three repair works. The first transformation occurred during the repair work of the Colonial Government in 1913-1915, and the second occurred during the repair work of the Colonial Government in 1920-1923. The repair work done by the Korean Government in 1961-1964 also caused a severe change in the architectural form and space of Seokguram architecture. The more the repair work was added to Seokguram, the more its original form flew away like a mirage. Through the three repair works, the spatial composition of Seokguram changed in the following directions: from ((front chamber + passageway) + main chamber) to (front chamber + (passageway + main chamber)) through the second repair work, from (front chamber + (passageway + main chamber)) to (front chamber + passageway + main chamber) through the last repair work. Although the compositional space hierarchy of Seokguram was maintained during the first repair work, the architectural form based on the dry method was changed to the form based on the wet method. The Korean government's repair work was a tragedy for the 'Seokguram conservation project' that the people who led the conservation process misunderstood the architectural nature of Seokguram.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.139-149
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• 2017

The maintenance, repair, and reinforcement projects and structural stability assessments of Seokguram have primarily focused on examining the condition of stone members of Seokguram and the concrete dome structure for Seokguram. However, a 12 m-high rock slope located behind Seokguram raises a concern of slope failure and rockfall, which may reduce stability of Seokguram. It is also unclear whether the soil slopes and masonry wall at the side and the front of Seokguram have sufficient long-term stability against localized heavy rains and earthquakes, which have been frequent in recent years. The present study investigates the ground and the slopes around Seokguram using detailed field survey to identify geographical and geological risk factors, and assess structural stability of the exposed rock mass behind and the slope in front of Seokguram and the masonry wall using stability analysis.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.24
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• pp.169-184
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• 2003

Yearly mean temperature and relative-humidity of the Seokguram Grotto was measured $19~23^{\circ}C$, 40~44% from May, 1998 to December,2002. The measurement has little differences comparing to the optimum guideline (temperature : $20^{\circ}\pm2^{\circ}C$, relative-humidity : $50^{\circ}\pm5%$). It is necessary to increase humidity in the Seokguram Grotto during winter because of heating and decrease the temperature during summer because of a higher temperature of outside. In addition, the diurnal range keep in $4^{\circ}C$ of temperature and in 10% of relative-humidity. Yearly mean concentration of $CO_2$(carbon dioxide) was measured538~658ppm that is higher than concentration of normal atmosphere(360 ppm). The $CO_2$ has an cumulative effect on the surface of stone cultural properties as a form of carbonic acid($H_2CO_3$) after reaction with water. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system should be operated to maintain ideal state for the preservation according to the optimum guideline. Also, the entrance into the Seokguram Grotto should be controlled to prevent a sudden fluctuation of humidity and temperature. Human could carry small particles like a microdust, microbe, etc., into the Seokguram Grotto and also could damage the surface by a direct touch.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.41-52
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• 2021

This study examines the Gyeongju Seokguram Grotto restoration project (1961-1962) by architect Kim Chung Up (1922-1988) and introduces the documents he wrote at the time of planning. The study highlights Kim's Plan attempt to adopt Buckminster Fuller's idea of the Geodesic Dome, while inheriting the architect Pai Ki Hyung's previous design plan which was nullified. As Seokguram Grotto's water leak and deterioration issues have been brought up, the four-times survey was carried out by experts team between 1958 and 1960, under Ministry of Education's direction. Pai designed an initial restoration plan based on the survey's result, which was a double-dome structure with a concrete film on the outer periphery as a way to protect Seokguram Grotto in January 1961. However, as drawbacks, such as the heavy load of the concrete dome, and non-installation of entrance hall, have been indicated in the review process, the Cultural Properties Committee rejected the plan. Subsequently, Kim was appointed as the supervisor of the second restoration project. Kim drew up a process management schedule to be implemented from August 1961 to December 1963 and designed the conception plans for the second restoration design. This study analyzes Kim's Plan by examining sketches, site plans, floor plans, and sections. Kim planned to maintain the idea of the double-dome structure proposed by Pai while applying Buckminster Fuller's idea of the Geodesic Dome. Kim planned to lighten the dome structure by applying a steel-frame Geodesic Dome so that the dome structure could be supported by its own. The study is expected to reclaim the omitted parts from Seokguram Grotto's historical description and Kim's careers.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.7-19
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• 2023

This article focuses on the Namdaemum repair and the Seokguram restoration, which had begun in 1961, as an important repair conducted during the time of seeking the conservation principle of architectural heritage after liberation in Korea. Through the analysis of the principles described in the repair report issued after the two repairs, meeting records, and related expert announcements, it is shown that the principle of 'preservation of the historic state' had been established at Namdaemun repair and later have changed to the principle of 'restoration of the historic form' which means reconstruction in Seokguram restoration. By analyzing the minutes of the Cultural Heritage Committee's meeting on the repair of other cultural properties during this period, it is revealed that the key terms related to the preservation principle, 'historic form' and 'restoration', were given meaning as 'object' and 'method' of preservation, and then 'restoration of the historic form' has been gradually used as a conservation principle.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.41-49
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• 2015

In spite of the registration on the world heritage in UNESCO the principal statue of Sakyamuni in Seokguram Grotto is considered that its worth doesn't reach to its fame. The exact name of the statue does not establish yet and the statue has insufficient of storytelling or narrative structure on it. Regarding these issues the statue need to enhance the real value of it. This study pursue reconsidering the status of the principal statue compare to general statue of the Buddha and searching for the originality and archetype as a Buddha in Seokguram Grotto. Descriptive method is adopted as a approach to this theme with preceding research analysis and reference research. As a result various alternatives are drew back as a countermeasure. One thing is a government leading system of research and development the other is it need to increase the fame of Sakyamuni statue in Seokguram Grotto with a n interdisciplinary approach in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.225-242
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• 2019

Rockfall failure at the access road to Seokguram were occurred due to the earthquake on September 12, 2016. A detailed investigation was carried out in order to find out the cause of the rockfall, to identify the risk of the entire sites, and to prepare proper countermeasure methods and mitigation. We checked for geological and topographical characteristics of overall slopes alongside the access road to Seokguram and made a face map. In addition, we analyzed topographical factors caused by the earthquake through calculating a degree of slope, degree of bearing, upslope contributing area, and wetness index with the use of shading relief map. As a result, we confirmed that the large rockfall occurred with a weak section. In this study, we also evaluated the overall slope stability of the entire access road to Seokguram in order to classify it into danger and caution zones depending on the risk of collapse.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-37
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• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct the original floor plan and wall design of Seokbulsa Grotto in Kyungju; commonly known as 'Seokguram'. The paper presents an array of dimensional studies of the existing Seokguram to examine its architectural form, and infers the original floor plan and wall design of Seokbulsa Grotto. Seokbulsa Grotto is designed as a system of 'coherent modules' and was constructed using the dry stone method, which interlocks large stone modules into a whole that becomes the load-bearing structure itself. The design principles governing Seokbulsa Grotto are the spatial axis of symmetry, modular coordination, and the layout grid of a quarter Tang-Ruler(TR: 唐尺). Dimensional studies were conducted with these governing principles in mind and concludes the following about the original floor plan design. In the main chamber, Ansang-stone's radius is 12 TR, and Flagstone's radius is 12¼ TR. In the front chamber, the width between the two Ansang-stones facing each other is 22 TR and the longitudinal space depth is 12 TR, while the width between the two Flagstones facing each other is 22½ TR and Flagstone's depth is 12 TR. In the passageway, the width between the two Ansang-stones facing each other is 11½ TR and longitudinal space depth is 9 TR, while the width between the two Flagstones facing each other is 12 TR and Flagstone's depth is 7¾ TR. The distance from the center to the entrance line of the main chamber is 10½ TR. Therefore, the total longitudinal length of the Grotto is 43½ TR at the level of the Ansang-stones, and 44 TR at the level of the Flagstones.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.150-169
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• 2020

Surveys of Buddhist ruins at Namsan in Gyeongju began in earnest during the Japanese colonial era, undertaken by Japanese scholars. These surveys of Buddhist remains in Namsan made during the colonial period should be seen as previous research which cannot be ignored in any in-depth study of Buddhist ruins in Gyeongju. Full-scale surveys of Buddhist ruins at Namsan began in the 1920s. Previous surveys conducted around the time of the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 are generally viewed as only representing preliminary investigations and, thus, have not received much attention. However, these early surveys are significant in that they led to the Buddhist ruins on Namsan becoming widely known in the 1910s and served as the foundations for later studies. The removal of the Seated Medicine Buddha from Samneung Valley in Gyeongju in 1915 and its subsequent exhibition at the Joseon Local Products Expo, which marked the fifth anniversary of the Japanese administration of Korea, was especially important in garnering attention for Namsan's wealth of Buddhist artifacts, as the statue was placed in the main hall of the art museum and attracted a great deal of interest from visitors. It is typically thought that this Seated Medicine Buddha was exhibited in 1915 because it was the most beautiful and well-preserved statue from Namsan. However, the removal of this statue was closely related to the proposed move of the Seokguram statue to Seoul around the time of Korea's annexation. The plan to move Seokguram to Seoul was primarily devised by Terauchi Masatake, and the plan, based on Ilseontongjo-ron ('日鮮同祖論'), a historical theory that prehistoric Korean and Japanese people were of the same blood, and Joseon Jeongcheasoeng-ron ('朝鮮停滯性論'), a historical theory arguing that development had stagnated in Korea, was intended to be a visual demonstration of a new era for Korea. This new era was to proceed under the rule of the Japanese Empire through the dissolution of Gyeongbokgung, the symbol of the Joseon Dynasty, which would be replaced with past glories as symbolized by the statue of Buddha. However, as the plan floundered, the replacement for Seokguram in Seoul ended up being none other than the Seated Medicine Buddha of Samneung Valley. Surveys of the Seated Medicine Buddha began in 1911, administered by Sekino Tadashi, but he likely learned of the statue's location from Moroga Hideo or Kodaira Ryozo, Japanese residents of Gyeongju. It is also probable that these Japanese residents received a request from the Japanese Government General of Korea to find a Buddha statue that was worthy of being displayed at exhibitions. In this way, we can say that the transfer of the Seated Medicine Buddha to Seoul was the result of close cooperation between the Government General, Sekino Tadashi, and Japanese residents of Gyeongju. This also had the effect of removing the magical veil which had shrouded the Buddhist ruins of Namsan. In other words, while the early surveys of Buddhist ruins on Namsan are significant, it is difficult to argue that the surveys were undertaken for purely academic purposes, as they were deeply related to the imperial ambitions of Governor-General Terauchi which encompassed the plans to move Seokguram to Seoul and the successful hosting of the 1915 Expo. It should also be pointed out that the failure of the plan to move Seokguram to Seoul and the preservation of the Seated Stone Buddha of Mireuggok at Namsan was in no small part due to resistance from Korean residents in Gyeongju. Although it is not described in detail in the paper, research is needed which shows that the Korean residents of Gyeongju were not simple bystanders, but agents of history.