A National Treasure () is a tangible treasure, artifact, site, or building which is recognized by the

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

n 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 (CHA) in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Act after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee. Many of the national treasures are popular

tourist Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism mo ...

destinations such as Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine,

Bulguksa Bulguksa is located on the slopes of Mount Toham (Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju city, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea). It is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and encompasses six National treasures of South Korea, including the ...

Seokguram The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex. It lies four kilometers east of the temple on Mt. Tohamsan, in Gyeongju, South Korea. It is classified as ''National Treasure No. 24'' by the South Korean government ...

, and

Tripitaka Koreana The (lit. ) or ("Eighty-Thousand ''Tripiṭaka''") is a Korean collection of the (Buddhist scriptures, and the Sanskrit word for "three baskets"), carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century. It is the oldest intact vers ...

Haeinsa Haeinsa (해인사, 海印寺: Temple of the Ocean Mudra) is a head temple of the Jogye Order (대한불교조계종, 大韓佛敎曹溪宗) of Korean Seon Buddhism in Gayasan National Park (가야산, 伽倻山), South Gyeongsang Province, So ...

. 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 Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...

in 1938 during the Japanese occupation with "The Act of Treasures of the Joseon dynasty". In 1955, the

South Korean government The Government of South Korea is the union government of the South Korea, Republic of Korea, created by the Constitution of South Korea as the executive, legislative and judicial authority of the republic. The president acts as the head of sta ...

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 The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction ( ko, 국가재건최고회의) was the ruling military junta of South Korea from May 1961 to December 1963. The Supreme Council overthrew the Second Republic of Korea in the May 16 coup in May 19 ...

. 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 2021. Living National Treasure are holders, or keepers of Intangible Cultural Property.

List of national treasures

1960s

Designated December 20, 1962

Designated March 3, 1964

:117. Seated iron vairocana Buddha statue of Borimsa temple,

Jangheung County Jangheung County (''Jangheung-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Slow city In 2007 Jangheung was designated as a slow city. It was the first slow city designation in Asia. Spot for filming ''Festival'' (1996) was filmed ...

:118. Gilt-bronze pensive

maitreya Maitreya (Sanskrit: ) or Metteyya (Pali: ), also Maitreya Buddha or Metteyya Buddha, is regarded as the future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. As the 5th and final Buddha of the current kalpa, Maitreya's teachings will be aimed at ...

bodhisattva, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul :119. Standing gilt-bronze Buddha with inscription of the seventh year of Yeonga era, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :120.

Bell of Yongjusa The Bell of Yongjusa is located in the temple of Yongjusa, near Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. History The bronze bell was cast and installed in the temple in 854. The temple was destroyed in 1636 during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea ...

, Yongjusa temple, Hwaseong :121.

Hahoetal Hahoetal masks (하회탈/河回탈) are the traditional Korean masks worn in the Hahoe Pyolshin-gut t'al nori ceremony dating back to the 12th century. They represent the stock characters needed to perform the roles in the ritual dance dra ...

and Byeongsantal masks,

Andong Andong () is a city in South Korea, and the capital of North Gyeongsang Province. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 as of October 2010. The Nakdong River flows through the city. Andong is a m ...

:122. Three storied stone pagoda of Jinjeonsa temple site,

Yangyang County Yangyang County (''Yangyang-gun'') is in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The county is located in the northeast of the country in Gangwon-do. Its population is about 31,000 (2004). The Yangyang area is well known for its pine mushrooms (''son ...

Designated February 28, 1966

:123. Relics found from the five storied stone pagoda in Wanggung-ri,

Iksan Iksan ( ko, 익산; ) is a city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, (commonly transliterated as Jeollabuk-do or Chollabuk-do) South Korea. The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan C ...

Jeonju National Museum Jeonju National Museum is a national museum located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. It opened on October 26, 1990, as the ninth South Korean national museum. The Main Building comprises three permanent exhibits, an Archeology room, a Fine A ...

Jeonju Jeonju () is the 16th largest city in South Korea and the capital of North Jeolla Province. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many residents who work in Jeonju) ...

:124. Seated marble bodhisattva statue of Hansongsa temple, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :125. Green-glazed funeral urn with stone case, National Museum of Korea, Seoul

Designated September 16, 1967

:126. Relics found inside three storied Seokgatap pagoda of

temple,

Gyeongju Gyeongju ( ko, 경주, ), historically known as ''Seorabeol'' ( ko, 서라벌, ), is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, ...

(28 subentries)

Designated December 19, 1968

:127. Standing gilt-bronze avalokitesvara bodhisattva statue of Samyang-dong, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :128. Standing gilt-bronze avalokitesvara bodhisattva statue,

Hoam Art Museum The Ho-Am Art Museum (in Korean: 호암미술관) is an art museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, approximately 40 km south of Seoul. It holds a number of traditional Korean paintings. The museum was built in 1982 by Samsung and named ...

Yongin Yongin () is a city in the Seoul Capital Area, the largest in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. With a population over 1 million, the city has developed rapidly since the 21st century, recording the highest population growth of any city in the count ...

:129. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Leeum Art Museum, Yongin :130. Five storied stone pagoda of Jukjang-dong,

Seonsan Seonsan, or Seonsan-eup, is an ''eup'' or large village in Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. It has a population of around 20,000 people, and an area of 69 km². There are several historical landmarks in Seonsan, including two Jose ...

Gumi Gumi may refer to: * Gumi, Iran, a village in South Khorasan Province, Iran * Gumi, Nepal, a village development committee in Surkhet District, Bheri Zone, Nepal * Gumi, North Gyeongsang, a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea ** Gumi University * ...

Designated November 7, 1969

1970s

Designated December 30, 1970-December 21, 1971

Designated March 2, 1972

:143. Bronze artifacts, estimated to be from 200-100 BC. A bronze rattle with eight bells and a bronze mirror 14.5 cm in diameter. Found in Taegong-ri,

Hwasun County Hwasun County (화순군; ''Hwasun-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Symbol * County Flower : Wild Chrysanthemum * County Tree : Zelkova Tree * County Bird : Dove Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves a ...

Jeollanam-do South Jeolla Province (; ''Jeollanam-do''; ), also known as Jeonnam, is a province of South Korea. South Jeolla has a population of 1,902,324 (2014) and has a geographic area of located in the Honam region at the southwestern tip of the Korean ...

. Stored at

Gwangju National Museum Gwangju National Museum is a national museum located in Gwangju, South Korea. The museum opened in 1978. See also *List of museums in South Korea There are over 500 museums and galleries in South Korea. National museums Museums in Seoul ...

Gwangju Gwangju () is South Korea's sixth-largest metropolis. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister. The city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province until the provincial office ...

. (6 subentries) :144. Rock-carved seated Buddha image at Mt.

Wolchulsan Wolchulsan (월출산) is a mountain located in South Jeolla province, South Korea, and spans both Gangjin and Yeongam counties. At its peak, Cheonhwangbong, it rises to 808.7 meters, making it the highest point in Gangjin County. It lies in a ...

Yeongam County Yeongam () is a city and county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Bordered with Mokpo and Naju to the north, Jangheung County to the east, and Haenam and Gangjin to the south, Yeongam County comprises two '' eups'' and nine '' myeons'', popul ...

Designated June 24, 1972

:145. Bronze brazier with demon mask decoration,

Yongsan-gu Yongsan District (, ) is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. Yongsan has a population of 231,685 (2020) and has a geographic area of , and is divided into 19 ''Dong (administrative division), dong'' (adminis ...

, Seoul :146. Excavated relics from Gangwon-do, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin (4 subentries)

Designated May 4, 1973

:147. Petroglyphs in Cheonjeon-ri, Ulju-gun,

Ulsan Ulsan (), officially the Ulsan Metropolitan City is South Korea's seventh-largest metropolitan city and the eighth-largest city overall, with a population of over 1.1 million inhabitants. It is located in the south-east of the country, neighboring ...

Designated July 10, 1973

Designated December 31, 1973

Designated July 9, 1974

:154.

Crown of Baekje The Crown of Baekje refers to several artifacts excavated that are believed to be the royal headgear of the kings, queens, and nobility of the Baekje Kingdom. Some of the crowns follow the same tradition as Silla crowns in that they share the tree ...

. A pair of 30.7 cm golden diadem ornaments, early 6th century (Baekje). Found in the

tomb of King Muryeong The Tomb of King Muryeong, also known as Songsan-ri Tomb No. 7 (), is the ancient tumulus of King Muryeong, who ruled the Baekje from 501 to 523, and his queen. The rarity of intact Baekje tombs makes this one of the major archaeological discover ...

Gongju Gongju ([]; Gongju-si) is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. History Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo. Goguryeo had overrun ...

-si,

Chungcheongnam-do South Chungcheong Province ( ko, 충청남도, ''Chungcheongnam-do''), also known as Chungnam, is a province of South Korea. South Chungcheong has a population of 2,059,871 (2014) and has a geographic area of 8,204 km2 (3,168 sq mi) located in ...

. :155.

. The queen of King Muryeong's golden diadem ornaments, 22.6 cm. :156. A pair of king's earrings, made from gold and jade, early 6th century (Baekje). From the tomb of King Muryeong. :157. A pair of queen's earrings, made from gold. From the tomb of King Munyeong. :158. Two gold necklaces of the queen of King Muryeong, Gongju National Museum, Gongju :159. An 18.4 cm golden king's hairpin, early 6th century (

Baekje Baekje or Paekche (, ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BC to 660 AD. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje was founded by Onjo, the third son of Goguryeo's founder Jum ...

dynasty). Found in the tomb of King Muryeong). :160. A pair of silver bracelets of the queen of King Muryeong, Gongju National Museum, Gongju :161. Bronze mirrors from the tomb of King Muryeong, Gongju National Museum, Gongju (3 subentries) :162. Seoksu, a guardian spirit sculpture with an iron antler, from the entrance of the tomb of King Muryeong. :163. A set of two granite epitaph plaques from tomb of King Muryeong—one for the king and one for his queen. 41.5 cm by 35.2 cm, by 5 cm and 4.7 cm. :164. Headrest, Gongju National Museum, Gongju :165. King's footrest, Gongju National Museum, Gongju :166. White porcelain jar with plum and bamboo designs in underglaze iron, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :167 Celadon wine pot in the shape of a human figure, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :168 Deleted. Originally held by white porcelain bottle with plum and chrysanthemum designs in underglaze iron,

National Museum of Korea The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea. Since its establishment in 1945, the museum has been committed to various studies and research a ...

, Seoul as it was considered as a rare example of 15th century porcelain in the

Joseon dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

, but was recently found to be a quite common chinese porcelain made in 14th century

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...

of china. :169 Porcelain bottle with bamboo motif from

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

period, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :170

Blue and white porcelain "Blue and white pottery" () covers a wide range of white pottery and porcelain decorated under the glaze with a blue pigment, generally cobalt oxide. The decoration is commonly applied by hand, originally by brush painting, but nowadays by sten ...

jar with plum, bird and bamboo designs, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :171. Bronze pedalled bowl, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :172. Artifacts excavated from the Jinyang Jeong family tomb, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :173. Seated celadon arhat with dot design in underglaze iron,

Gangnam-gu Gangnam District ( ; , ) is one of the 25 local government districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. Gangnam translates to "South of the (Han) River". Gangnam District is the third largest district in Seoul, with an area of . A ...

, Seoul :174. Pair of gilt-bronze candlesticks from the Silla period, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :175. White porcelain bowl with inlaid lotus-arabesque design, National Museum of Korea, Seoul :176. Blue and white porcelain jar with pine and bamboo designs and inscription of Hongchi,

Dongguk University Dongguk University (Korean: 동국대학교, Hanja: 東國大學校) is a private, coeducational university in South Korea, fundamentally based on Buddhism. Established in 1906 as Myeongjin School (명진학교; 明進學校) by Buddhist pioneers ...

, Seoul :177.

Buncheong ''Buncheong'', or ''punch'ong'', ware is a traditional form of Korean stoneware, with a blue-green tone. Pieces are coated with white slip (ceramics), and decorative designs are added using a variety of techniques. This style originated in the 15 ...

placenta jar with stamped design,

Korea University Korea University (KU, ) is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1905. The university is included as one of the SKY universities, a popular acronym referring to Korea's three most prestigious universities. The ...

, Seoul :178. Buncheong flattened bottle with incised fish design,

Seodaemun-gu Seodaemun District (, "Great West Gate") is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. Seodaemun has a population of 313,814 (2010) and has a geographic area of 17.61 km2 (6.8 sq mi), and is divided into 14 '' dong'' (administrative neigh ...

, Seoul :179. Buncheong flattened bottle with lotus and fish designs,

Horim Museum Horim Museum is a museum in Seoul, South Korea. The museum was founded by Yun Jang-seob (윤장섭 尹章燮) who after setting up the Sungbo Cultural Foundation (성보문화재단 成保文化財團) in July 1981 to purchase antiquities, estab ...

, Seoul

Designated December 31, 1974-April 23, 1976

Designated December 14, 1976

:186. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue from

Yangpyeong Yangpyeong County (''Yangpyeong-gun'') is a county in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Climate Yangpyeong has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen: ''Dwa'') with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. Korean War Yangpye ...

, National Museum of Korea, Seoul

Designated August 22, 1977

:187. Five storied imitation-brick pagoda in Sanhae-ri,

Yeongyang County Yeongyang County (''Yeongyang-gun'') is an inland county in the north-eastern area of North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Geography An isolated area difficult to access, Yeongyang is sometimes called an "inland island". The county has the lo ...

Designated December 7, 1978

:188. A gold and jade crown with pendants, Old Silla period. Heavenly Horse Tomb (Cheonma-chong), Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do. :189. A 19 cm high

golden cap Golden Cap is a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset, England. At , it is arguably the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain (although the highest point is set back some 250m fr ...

, Old Silla period, from the Heavenly Horse Tomb. :190. Gold girdle of Korea, Gold girdle with pendants from the Heavenly Horse Tomb, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju :191. A gold and jade crown with pendants, Old Silla period. Excavated from Hwangnamtaechong Tomb. The crown has been exhibited at

from 2005, but Gyeongju National Museum has the ownership of it. :192. A 120 cm Gold girdle of Korea, gold and jade girdle with pendants, Old Silla period. Found in the North Mound of Hwangnamtaechong Tomb, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do. :193. A Blue-green, green-blue glass ewer, 25 cm high (reconstructed), from the Old Silla period (est. 500-600 AD). Found in the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. :194. A golden necklace from the Old Silla period. Found in the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb. :195. Mounted cup with figurines from tomb of Michu of Silla, King Michu, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju

Designated February 8, 1979

Designated May 22, 1979

:197. Stupa to Buddhist Priest Bogak of Cheongnyongsa temple :198. Stele by Jinheung of Silla, King Jinheung of Silla Period in Danyang County. :199. Buddhist figures of Sinseonsa temple grotto at Mt. Danseoksan, Gyeongju

Designated April 30, 1979

:200. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Busan Museum, Busan

1980s

Designated September 16, 1980

Designated March 18, 1981

:202. Avatamsaka Sutra, Avatamsaka sutra, Jung-gu (Seoul), Jung-gu, Seoul :203. Avatamsaka sutra, Jung-gu, Seoul :204. Avatamsaka sutra, Jung-gu, Seoul :205. Goguryeo Monument, Chungju, Goguryeo monument in Jungwon, Chungju

Designated May 22, 1982

:206. Goryeo Buddhist printing blocks at

temple, Hapcheon County (28 subentries)

Designated November 16, 1982

:207. Saddle flap with 'heavenly horse' painting, from the Heavenly Horse Tomb, National Museum of Korea, Seoul

Designated December 7, 1982

:208. Hexagonal gilt-bronze sarira case, Jikjisa temple, Gimcheon :209. Five storied stone pagoda with 'Bohyeop' inscription,

, Seoul

Designated May 30, 1984

:210. Sutra from the Goryeo period in silver ink (vol. 30),

:211. Saddharmapundarika sutra in ink on white paper, Seongbo Culture Foundation, Seoul :212. Suramagma sutra, Dongguk University, Seoul

Designated August 6, 1984

:213. Miniature gilt pagoda, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :214. Bronze incense burner from Heungwangsa temple, Kaesong, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :215. Sutra from the Goryeo period in silver ink (vol. 31), Yongin :216. Inwangjesaekdo, Clearing after rain in Mt. Inwangsan, painting by Jeong Seon,

:217. Geumgangjeondo, Painting of Kumgangsan by Jeong Seon, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :218. Painting of amitabha flanked by two bodhisattvas, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :219. Porcelain jar from early Joseon Dynasty, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :220. Porcelain bowl, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin

Designated November 15, 1984

:221. Seated wooden manjusuri statue, Sang-wonsa temple, Pyeongchang County

Designated December 7, 1984

:222. Blue and white porcelain jar with plum and bamboo designs,

, Seoul

Designated January 8, 1985

:223. Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul :224. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul :225. Injeongjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul :226. Myeongjeongjeon Hall in Changgyeonggung Palace, Seoul :227. Jongmyo (Seoul), The main hall, Jeongjeon, of Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine, Seoul

Designated March 3, 1985

:228. Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido, a stone carved planisphere. Korean Royal Museum, Seoul :229. Borugak Jagyeongnu, Water clock of Borugak Pavilion, Korean Royal Museum, Seoul :230. Honcheonsigye, Astronomical instrument and clock,

, Seoul

Designated March 14, 1986

Designated October 15, 1986

:232. Certificate of meritorious subject for Yi Hwa for his distinguished service in helping to establish the Joseon Kingdom, Jeongeup :233. Agalmatolite jar with inscription of second year of Yeongtae era, Busan Museum, Busan

Designated November 29, 1986

:234. Saddharmapundarika sutra in silver on indigo paper, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin :235. Avatamsaka sutra in gold on indigo paper, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin

Designated March 9, 1987

:236. West five storied pagoda of a temple site in Janghang-ri, Wolseong,

Designated July 16, 1987

:237. ''Gosan gugoksi hwabyeong'', folding screen with calligraphy and painting, Goyang :238. Scrapbook of Prince Yi Yong, mid-15th century, Goyang

Designated December 26, 1987

:239. Portrait of Song Siyeol,

, Seoul :240. Portrait of Yun Duseo, Haenam County

Designated June 16, 1988

:241. Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin

Designated November 14, 1988

:242. Silla monument in Bongpyeong, Uljin County

Designated December 28, 1988

Designated April 10, 1989

:247. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva in Uidang,

Designated August 1, 1989 or thereafter

Notes

This list is drawn largely from the following: and

References

*National Museum of Korea, The (1985). ''Selected Treasures of National Museums of Korea''. Seoul: Samhwa Publishing. * *

External links

Heritage Classification
Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Korean National Heritage Online
{{Heritage preservation in South Korea National Treasures of South Korea, Archaeology of Korea