Restoration of Torn and Stained 100-Year-Old Independence Movement Records

Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center Preserves 'Jang Hyo-geun Diary' and Others

The "Jang Hyo-geun Diary" is a diary written by independence activist Jang Hyo-geun (1867?1946) from 1916 to 1945. It records the social conditions during the Japanese colonial period, domestic and international affairs, and the process of the independence movement. In particular, it provides detailed accounts of the Declaration of Independence by 33 signatories and the circumstances following the March 1st Movement. Recognized for its historical value as a document that records only the facts witnessed and experienced during the independence movement, it was listed in the National Registered Cultural Heritage in 2018.

During the Japanese colonial period, Jang Hyo-geun used the pages of "Joseon Minryeok," a solar calendar printed by the Government-General of Korea, as his diary. The calendar was printed on yangji paper made from coniferous wood sulfite pulp and chemical pulp. He wrote his diary on it using ink and blue water-based ink, which over time caused various damages such as contamination from moisture, dust, foreign substances, discoloration, and ink stains. Some pages were missing or torn. The Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 5th that it recently completed preservation treatment that began in 2022.

Generally, the main cause of damage to yangji paper is acidification. The research team disassembled the artifact and conducted deacidification treatment. They sprayed magnesium oxide to raise the paper’s acidity level to a pH of 7 or higher. Additionally, they dyed paper containing mulberry fibers, which have better preservation qualities than yangji, to restore the physically damaged or missing parts as close to the original as possible.

The research team also preserved the "Daedong Ganyeol Declaration Document." This is a declaration urging the unity of independence activists and the establishment of the Provisional Government. Fourteen overseas independence activists, including Shin Kyu-sik and Jo So-ang, drafted it in 1917 to unite the independence movement organizations and convene a national assembly. It holds significant meaning as it consolidated the various theories of the independence movement that were developing at the time and was registered as a National Registered Cultural Heritage in 2015.

This document was also made of yangji paper and turned brown over time. Some parts were lost due to stains and tears. The research team conducted deacidification treatment and reinforced the main text, cover, and missing parts. It will soon be returned to its repository, the Independence Hall of Korea. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "We will continue to preserve and treat recorded heritage that contains the history of the independence movement and modern and contemporary history."