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Pareun Edition of Samguk Yusa, a National Treasure at the Yonsei Museum, Listed as a UNESCO MoW
Pareun Edition of Samguk Yusa, a National Treasure at the Yonsei Museum, Listed as a UNESCO MoW

Commemorative exhibition from Jan. 6 to Feb. 3, concert at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei on Jan. 6

[Photo 1. The Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa] 


The Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), a National Treasure of South Korea and owned by the Yonsei University Museum, has been listed on a regional list of the UNESCO Memory of the World. The final registration was decided at the 9th General Meeting of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Andong, Korea, on November 26.


[Photo 2. UNESCO Memory of the World Certificate]


The UNESCO Memory of the World, in which Samguk yusa has been listed, aims to preserve world-important records properly, strengthen the public's universal access to records, and raise global awareness of the importance of records.


Samguk yusa is a historical collection compiled in 1281 by Ilyeon, a Buddhist monk in the Goryeo Dynasty era. It is a comprehensive record including ancient myths, history, religion, life, and literature in Korea. It also proves that an "independent view of history centered on one's own nation" was formed in East Asia at the time. Among the many existing editions of Samguk yusa, three of them have been included in this time's registration in the Memory of the World: the Pareun Edition at the Yonsei University Museum, the Early Joseon Edition at Seongbo Museum of Beomeosa Temple, and the Imshin Edition at the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies of Seoul National University.


The Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa was donated in 2013 by the bereaved family of the late Professor Son Bo-gi of the Department of History, a former head of the Yonsei University Museum. "Pareun" was Professor Son's pen name. This edition consists of the "Records of the Kings," "Records of Great Wonders Part 1," and "Records of Great Wonders Part 2" grouped into one book. This is half of the total five volumes of Samguk yusa and has very high academic value as it is complete without any omission. This edition is believed to be published in Gyeongju in 1394 in the early Joseon Dynasty, more than 100 years before the Imshin Edition of Seoul National University, published in 1512.


[Photo 3. The Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa]


With the registration of the Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa, Yonsei University became the first private university in Korea to have a UNESCO Memory of the World, once again showing that Yonsei is leading academic development by inheriting the cultural heritage of Korea and humanity.


In order to promote these values and commemorate the registration of the Memory of the World, the Yonsei University Museum holds the commemorative exhibition and concert. The exhibition of the original copy of the Pareun Edition of Samguk yusa will run from January 6 to February 3, 2023, in the Art Room on the first floor of the museum. The concert will be held at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in the Commons on January 6. At the concert, cellist Jung-Ran Lee and violinist Eunsol Youn, visiting professors at the College of Music, will present beautiful melodies with the Department of Instrumental Music students.


[Photo 4. Exhibition & Concert Poster]


● Contact: +82-2-2123-3340, museum.yonsei.ac.kr


[Photos 5 & 6. Commemorative Exhibition]

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