Joseon-era stone statue, stupa to become cultural heritage

This photo shows Hanpung Pavilion in Muju, North Jeolla Province, 241 kilometers south of Seoul. The Cultural Heritage Administration said the pavilion will be designated as a national treasure within 30 days. Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

By Park Ji-won

Seen is a stupa containing Gautama Buddha's sarira at Hoeam Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. The Cultural Heritage Administration said the stupa will be designated as a national treasure within 30 days. Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

The Cultural Heritage Administration will designate two structures from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom as national treasures.

The administration said Hanpung Pavilion in Muju, North Jeolla Province, built in the early Joseon Dynasty, and a stupa containing the sarira or the cremated remains of Buddha, located at Hoeam Temple in Yangju, built around a similar period, will be designated within 30 days following a review.

It said the pavilion was built using materials dating back to the early Joseon period and had been intended for use by public servants. The signboard of the pavilion is known to have been written by Han Seok-bong, one of the most famous mid-Joseon period calligraphers. Restored after the 1592-98 Japanese invasions of Korea, the rare middle-floor pavilion shows the architectural style of the 17th century.

The agency said the stupa was built by the royal palace and includes the sarira, while showing the various characteristics of Buddhist art. The large stupa has been well preserved, it added.