EXCLUSIVE Urgent Need to Fully Preserve Remaining Traditional Hanok Houses Within Hwaseong Fortress

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Lee Min-jung] Traditional hanok houses within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hwaseong Fortress are rapidly disappearing, prompting urgent calls for measures to preserve their traditional, historical, and cultural landscape values.

The Hwaseong Research Institute (Chairman Choi Ho-un) conducted a comprehensive survey of hanok houses within the fortress in August to ensure the preservation of existing hanok structures.

The survey, led by the institute's Monitoring Committee (Chairman Kim Gwan-su), revealed that a significant number of hanok houses listed in the "2009 Survey of Hanok Houses Within Suwon Hwaseong" conducted by the Hwaseong Administration have disappeared.

Only 13 Well-Maintained Hanok Buildings Remain Within the Fortress

The 2009 survey documented a total of 66 hanok houses within the fortress (21 in good condition), but as of August 2023, only 43 remain, with just 13 in good condition. Over the past 14 years, 23 structures—35 percent of the total—have been lost due to demolitions for public facilities, reconstruction with modern general buildings, and reconstruction as new hanok houses.

The Hwaseong Research Institute noted that while some existing hanok houses have been remodeled for continued use, others, such as the house at 19 Namchang-dong, have been left abandoned.

Kim Gwan-su, chairman of the Monitoring Committee, expressed regret, stating, "Suwon Hwaseong has been designated as a historic site under regulations that restrict large-scale construction, allowing it to remain a historic city without apartments and large buildings. However, as buildings age and new structures are constructed, modern general buildings rather than hanok houses have been built more frequently."

Chairman Kim pointed out that while Suwon City encouraged hanok construction by establishing a "Hanok Support Ordinance" in the 2010s, builders cannot receive sufficient support and thus must build multi-unit residential buildings according to economic principles.

He emphasized the need to preserve existing hanok houses, which best showcase the cultural heritage landscape of Hwaseong Fortress through the marks of time.

Amendment of "Hanok Support Ordinance" Necessary for Preservation of Existing Hanok Houses

However, existing hanok houses are disappearing due to deterioration, and the rate of loss is expected to accelerate in the future. The Hwaseong Research Institute argues that the "Hanok Support Ordinance" must be amended to provide greater financial support for preserving existing hanok houses.

Suwon City is promoting projects to construct hanok houses within Hwaseong Fortress. This initiative aims to revitalize hanok architecture that harmonizes with the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hwaseong Fortress. The project provides partial funding for construction costs to citizens who newly construct or renovate existing hanok houses within the Hwaseong District Unit Plan area.

The "Hanok Promotion Zone" encompasses the Shinpung-dong and Jangan-dong areas. Those constructing or renovating hanok houses in this zone can receive up to 150 million won (50 percent of construction costs based on the total floor area), while hanok repairs (remodeling) can receive up to 110 million won (50 percent of construction costs). Within the Hwaseong District Unit Plan area, new construction or renovation can receive up to 80 million won, and remodeling up to 60 million won.

"The Remaining Hanok Houses Must Be Fully Preserved"

Choi Ho-un, chairman of the Hwaseong Research Institute, expressed regret, saying, "Until the late 1990s, many traditional hanok houses formed beautiful historic landscapes in harmony with the fortress walls. The hanok houses around the fortress walls are the living spaces of residents and hold significant preservation value as outstanding resources that enhance the value of 'UNESCO World Heritage Site Hwaseong Fortress.' However, beginning in the 2000s, riding the wave of development, multi-unit and multi-family residential buildings were constructed, resulting in the loss of many traditional hanok houses."

He added, "In particular, the two survey areas of Nam-su-dong and Nam-chang-dong have concentrated hanok houses that create excellent landscapes and should receive special management in the future. While constructing new hanok houses is important, preserving the old hanok houses that are disappearing should take priority. Now more than ever, the remaining hanok houses must be fully preserved," he stressed.

Members of the Hwaseong Research Institute urged Suwon City, as well as Gyeonggi Province and the national government, to take active steps, arguing that if the hanok houses within the fortress that Hwaseong Fortress embraces are preserved, the value of Hwaseong Fortress will be further elevated and receive the attention of people around the world.

*The editing and organization of survey data was conducted by Yeoyudang Architects Inc., operated by Monitoring Committee Chairman Kim Gwan-su. Field surveys were conducted by the Hwaseong Research Institute's Monitoring Committee, with 12 members including: Jang-an-dong and Buk-su-dong—Jo In-sang, Kim Yong-heon, Yun Ui-young; Maehyang-dong—Kim Woo-young, Kim Hae-ja; Shinpung-dong—Lee Nak-cheon, Kang Hee-su; Namchang-dong and Paldal-ro 1 and 2-ga—Jung Su-ja, Kim Yeon-hee; Nam-su-dong—Kim Yong-gyo, Kim Nam-ok, Han Jung-gyu. Data collection was handled by Chairman Choi Ho-un and former Chairman Kim Chung-young, with administrative and communication duties managed by Administrative Director Kim Mi-rae.