Reconstructing memory through adaptive heritage: a comparative analysis of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung in UNESCO discourse

This study critically examines the contrasting heritage discourses surrounding Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces in Seoul, with a focus on the reinterpretation of Gyeongbokgung and the former Blue House (its historical rear garden) as an integrated adaptive heritage site. While Changdeokgung has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its authenticity and integrity, Gyeongbokgung was excluded due to its partial reconstruction and complex restoration history. However, this paper argues that Gyeongbokgung embodies symbolic and memory-based values that align with adaptive heritage principles, reflecting Korea’s postcolonial and modern political transformations. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative case analysis and text mining of over 90,000 news articles to explore how the two sites and their associated gardens are interpreted and represented in public discourse. The analysis reveals that Changdeokgung conforms to conventional heritage frameworks rooted in the Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD), whereas Gyeongbokgung challenges these frameworks by emphasizing historical rupture, symbolic reappropriation, and evolving national identity. By highlighting the cultural and interpretive potential of Gyeongbokgung as adaptive heritage, this study contributes to ongoing debates about authenticity and heritage evaluation, and calls for more inclusive and context-sensitive approaches to World Heritage recognition in East Asian contexts.