관광 대상과 문화재 사이에서－숭례문, 황궁우, 경회루를 통해 본 근대 ‘한국’ 표상 건축물의 위상－

Abstract

Sungnyemun, Gyeonghoeru, and Hwanggungu were the most representative construct of Korea to foreigners’ eyes during the modern era. They were respectively built as a gate of a capital city, a pavilion of a royal palace, and a main building of Wongudan. However, through the period of open port and Japanese colonization, their meanings were changed. Sungnyemun, a main gate of Hanyang, had been chosen as a symbol of Hanyang and even Korea, and thus many travelogues had mentioned it and included its picture image. However, in 1907 the wall on both sides of the gate was demolished during the period of Japanese Resident-General of Korea; in 1937 its function as a gate completely stopped by prohibiting passing through it. Since then Sungnyemun was reduced to an object of tourism. The tourist perspective toward Sungnyemun remained. Now it is just considered as one of cultural properties, “National Treasure 1.”Gyeonghoeru is a main pavilion of Gyeongbokgung, a most important palace of the Joseon dynasty. The kings held a party at Gyeonghoeru. However, it was used as a banquet hall for Japanese colonialists since 1896 when King Gojong left Gyeongbokgung by Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation. Gyeonghoeru was used the same way until the 1970s after the independence of Korea. Hwanggungu is one of main buildings of Wongudan where King Gojong proclaimed the Daehan Empire in 1897. But only Hwanggungu survived since the Chosen Railways Hotel was built on the site of Wongudan in 1913 during the period of Japanese colonization. After that time Hwanggungu was regarded as an architecture which provided exotic taste for foreign visitors of the hotel. Until today Hwanggungu stands behind the Westin Chosun hotel, losing its original context. Now these buildings, which hold historical origins, are protected as “cultural properties,” but it is also true that they still remain under the tourist perspective. They were recognized as symbols that represent Korea by an Orientalist perspective during the modern period and instead lost their historical and cultural context. It should be question whether their value is properly recuperated in these days when they are designated as National Treasures and Historical Sites.