Seoul City Conducts Endoscopic and Ultrasound Precision Safety Inspections of Hanyangdoseong... Establishes Repair and Reinforcement Plans

Follow-up Measures Based on Diagnostic Results to Ensure Cultural Heritage Protection and Citizen Safety
Precise Measurement and Monitoring of 38 Deformed Sections Conducted Five Times Annually

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 21st that it will conduct a detailed safety inspection to investigate and measure the structural safety and causes of defects in six major deformed sections of Hanyangdoseong from last year, in order to establish a systematic and continuous repair and reinforcement plan.

This detailed safety inspection is similar to a health checkup for a person, where serious diseases are diagnosed and treated. Hanyangdoseong will be closely examined for safety conditions using scientific equipment such as endoscopy, ultrasound, and laser scanning to identify risk factors and establish repair and reinforcement measures. The inspection will investigate the location and environmental impacts such as terrain, vegetation, roads, and drainage conditions of the major deformed sections, as well as the degree of damage such as cracks, protrusions, and loss of fortress stones, and risks such as bulging and tilting. Additionally, based on data obtained through scientific survey equipment, stability analysis including computer modeling and structural analysis will be conducted to identify risk factors and countermeasures.

In particular, endoscopy will be used to examine the depth and internal filling materials of voids in the fortress walls, which are created by rainwater and are beyond human sight. Scientific methods such as ultrasound surveys to measure rock weathering, GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) surveys to understand ground structure using high-frequency waves, and 3D Laser Scanning systems to investigate displacements such as bulging of the fortress walls will be employed.

Separately from this detailed safety inspection, the Hanyangdoseong Office conducts five detailed measurements and five self-safety inspections annually to ensure safe exploration of Hanyangdoseong by Seoul citizens and to thoroughly preserve the cultural heritage. The Seoul Metropolitan Government regularly conducts detailed measurements five times a year on 38 deformed sections of Hanyangdoseong to monitor cracks, tilting, and displacement. For the safe exploration of Hanyangdoseong by Seoul citizens, self-inspections are conducted on trails and dangerous parts of the fortress walls before the rainy season, winter, and major holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Especially during the thawing period, safety inspections involving structural experts and cultural heritage repair specialists are carried out to ensure more professional inspections.

Joo Yong-tae, Head of the Cultural Headquarters, said, “We will continue to manage Hanyangdoseong systematically and continuously so that citizens can always enjoy the fortress, which has silently protected the capital Seoul and its citizens for over 600 years, in a safe and beautiful state.” He added, “We hope that many Seoul citizens will continue to show interest in and visit Hanyangdoseong, a symbol of Seoul’s history.”