Seosan Maae Samjonbul, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Registration Promotion

Yesterday's Academic Seminar... Developing Logic on Cultural and Artistic Values from Next Year
Considering Plans to Link Nearby Taean Ma-ae Samjonbul and Yesan Samesunseokbul

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul in Chungnam, known as the "Smile of Baekje" (National Treasure No. 84), is being considered for inscription as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Seosan City held an academic seminar on the 10th at the Seosan Cultural Center as the first step toward the World Heritage inscription of the Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul. Lee Wang-gi, chairman of the ICOMOS Korea Committee, presented the strategy for World Heritage registration, and Park Kyung-eun, a curator at the National Museum of Korea, and Kim Ji-ho, a curator at the National Buyeo Museum, emphasized its importance as a Baekje Buddhist craftwork.

Seosan City regards the Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul as definitive evidence of Buddhist cultural exchange among ancient China, Korea, and Japan. Given its evaluation as a masterpiece of ancient Korean art, the city believes there is sufficient potential for World Heritage inscription. Starting next year, it plans to undertake research projects to develop detailed arguments regarding its historicity and cultural and artistic value.

Located in Yonghyeon-ri, Unsan-myeon, Seosan City, the Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul is a Buddha statue carved into granite. It is estimated to have been created in the late Baekje period. The central figure is a standing Buddha, flanked on the left by a bodhisattva seated in the half-lotus contemplative pose (ban-ga suyuhyeong, 半跏思惟形), and on the right by a standing bodhisattva. The expression of the central standing Buddha changes depending on the light. When sunlight does not reach it, the Buddha’s expression is solemn, but when sunlight shines on it, a bright smile appears. For this reason, it is called the "Smile of Baekje" or the "Smile of Mystery."

To increase the chances of World Heritage inscription, Seosan City is also considering registering the Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul together with nearby sites such as the Taean Ma-ae Samjonbul (National Treasure No. 307) and Yesan Samyeon Seokbul (Treasure No. 794). The city plans to closely cooperate with Chungcheongnam-do Province, Taean County, and Yesan County. Mayor Maeng Jeong-ho of Seosan said, "The Seosan Ma-ae Samjonbul is a cultural heritage of great historical and cultural value," and added, "We will make every effort to ensure the success of the inscription project."