Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (GNRICH) is making a move to become a regional hub for cultural heritage research in East Asia, by establishing a network for joint research with China, Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam.

 

The Institute signed with Shan-xi Sheng Archeological Research Institute of China, a “Cultural Exchange Agreement” in November 2003, and “Exchange Agreement in the field of Excavation and Research” in October 2005. While the two institutes simply sent delegations to the other party under the former Agreement, they are sending researchers to the other’s archeological sites to conduct a joint research for two months under the latter Agreement.

 

As for Japan, the GNRICH concluded an “Exchange Agreement in the field of Excavation and Research” with Nara Research Institute for Cultural Properties in April 2006. Under the Agreement, researchers will visit the other party on a two-month-long mission in which they will participate in the excavation and survey of ancient capitals such as Gyeongju, Heijokyo and Fujiwara, and publish the results.

 

Another joint survey on the remains of ancient kingdoms will be carried out by the GNRICH and National Archeological Research Institute of Vietnam in pursuant to the “Arrangement on the Exchange in the field of Cultural Heritage” signed between the two nations in May this year. Those ancient kingdoms to be surveyed include Shilla of Korea and Thang Long of Vietnam. In addition, measures will be drawn up to preserve the historic capital cities.

 

The GNRICH, along with the Archaeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, launched a project titled “The Study of Mongolian Petroglyph, Deer Stones and Epitaph” this year. Under the project, the GNRICH and Jikji Museum of Buddhist Arts of Korea formed a joint survey team and they will make rubbings in Mongolia until July 25^th this year.

 

With all these efforts, the GNRICH is expected to be able to lay the foundations for cultural heritage research in East Asia and expand academic exchanges in the field.