South Korea’s Buseoksa Temple Museum is undergoing a major renovation in preparation for the return of one of the country’s most precious cultural treasures—the 14th-century Josadang Murals. The project, announced by Yeongju City on Thursday, will see 5.7 billion won invested by 2027 to upgrade the museum’s facilities and safeguard its artefacts against natural disasters.
The Buseoksa Josadang Murals, created in 1377 during the reign of King U of Goryeo, are considered the oldest surviving temple wall paintings in Korea. Removed from the temple’s Josadang Hall in 1916, they have spent over a century in separate storage. Since 2020, they’ve been undergoing meticulous conservation at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Daejeon, with their return slated for December 2026.
The museum, located within the UNESCO-listed Buseoksa Temple complex in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, will also house other nationally designated artefacts. These include Goryeo-era wooden printing blocks, the Obulhoe Gwaebul Painting, and two seated Buddha statues—all previously vulnerable to wildfires and typhoons.
The remodel will introduce climate-controlled display areas, rest zones for visitors, and a gift shop to enhance the cultural experience. Monk Deung-hwa, general manager of Buseoksa, emphasised the importance of the upgrade: “Through this museum remodeling, we will ensure the safe preservation and management of national cultural heritage.”
Founded in 676 by Great Master Uisang, Buseoksa Temple was designated Korea’s 13th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. It is renowned for its five national treasures, including the Muryangsujeon Hall, and seven additional treasures such as the Three-story Stone Pagoda.
Yeongju City has pledged full administrative support to ensure the project proceeds smoothly, reinforcing the temple’s role as a guardian of Korea’s spiritual and artistic legacy.
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