Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea

The Cultural Heritage Administrative (CHA) of Korea was established to safeguard the integrity of cultural traditions of Korea and enhance the cultural life of Korean people by preserving and promoting the use of cultural heritage.

CHA manages important cultural properties, which were designated as State or City/Province-designated Cultural Heritage. The State-designated Cultural Heritage such as National Treasures and Treasures are directly managed by CHA, and in the case of City/Province-designated Cultural Heritage, CHA supports local governments for their management. CHA also registers particular cultural properties that require special attention for conservation as Registered Cultural Heritage. CHA provides financial support for conservation and management of cultural heritage. Government subsidies are also granted for the management and restoration of State-designated Cultural Heritage and for the protection and promotion of important intangible cultural heritage.

CHA directly manages royal palaces and tombs of the Joseon Dynasty located in Seoul and its surrounding area. It is also in charge of submitting World Heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and Memory of the World candidates of Korea to UNESCO for their registration on the UNESCO lists. Through the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, CHA conducts a variety of research and investigation for scientific conservation and the management of cultural properties. The Korean National University of Cultural Heritage, a national university specialised in cultural heritage, was also established and run by CHA.