Foundation Established for the Inheritance of Traditional Culture at Sungkyunkwan, Hyanggyo, and Seowon

'Inheritance, Development, and Support Act' Passed in National Assembly Plenary Session

On the 28th, Sungkyunkwan held a Chugiseokjeon ceremony at the Daeseongjeon Hall of Sungkyunkwan in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Confucius (Gongja Tanshinil). Seokjeon (釋奠), designated as National Intangible Cultural Property No. 85, is a ritual performed at Sungkyunkwan and 234 hyanggyo nationwide to honor Confucius and other sages. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

A foundation has been established to systematically inherit and develop the tangible and intangible cultures of Sungkyunkwan, Hyanggyo, and Seowon. On the 30th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the "Act on the Inheritance, Development, and Support of the Traditional Culture of Sungkyunkwan, Hyanggyo, and Seowon" passed the National Assembly plenary session. This law defines the traditional cultures of Sungkyunkwan, Hyanggyo, and Seowon by distinguishing them as tangible and intangible heritage. It includes provisions on ▲the responsibilities of the state and local governments to support the inheritance and development of these cultures ▲the establishment of comprehensive and implementation plans for inheritance and development ▲basic surveys to confirm cultural heritage value and management and preservation status. Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "With systematic and well-organized support, I hope that the fading morality and sense of community in modern society will be restored and that pride in national culture will be fostered." He added, "Together with the 'Act on the Preservation and Support of Traditional Temples,' I believe this will greatly contribute to the inheritance and development of traditional culture."