Choe Chong-dae, president of Dae-kwang International Co. and columnist, highlighted the remarkable achievements of Choe Nam-ju, a pioneer in Korean archaeology, in Transactions Vol. 98, 2024, the journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS), Korea. The paper has drawn significant attention from Korean studies researchers both domestically and internationally.
The article, titled “Choe Nam-ju (崔南柱, 1905–1980): A Pioneer of Korean Archaeology and Silla Cultural Heritage,” hightlights Choe Nam-ju’s lifelong dedication to the excavation, preservation, and study of cultural relics from the ancient Silla Kingdom, particularly in its capital, Gyeongju, and its surrounding areas. Published earlier this month, it has garnered acclaim from scholars worldwide. Donald Baker, professor emeritus of Asian studies at the University of British Columbia, plans to incorporate it into his lectures on early Korean history. Additionally, Professor Jung Jae-hoon, Director of the Korean Studies Center at Queensland University in Australia, intends to include it in an e-library to promote Korean culture.
The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea, established in 1900, is the world’s first research institute dedicated to Korean studies. Its annual journal, now in its 98th volume, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of English-language scholarship on Korea’s history, culture, and literature.
Choe Nam-ju’s Legacy in Korean Archaeology
Choe Nam-ju, a native of Gyeongju, devoted his life to the preservation and excavation of Silla cultural heritage, significantly contributing to the advancement of Korean archaeology. His participation in the 1926 excavation of the Silla Golden Crown at Seobong Tomb, alongside Crown Prince Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, remains a landmark achievement in global archaeology.
As the first Korean to conduct academic surveys of Buddhist relics on Namsan (South Mountain) in Gyeongju, Choe discovered numerous artifacts that provided foundational data for subsequent generations of researchers. His notable findings include the Namsan Fortress Monument (1934), the stone monument of Hwarang's Oath (1935), and the inscribed stone tablet from the tomb of King Heungdeok (1957). These discoveries remain invaluable to the study of Silla history.
Despite economic hardships, Choe built memorial monuments at his own expense, including the pavilion at King Muyeol's tomb (1952) and the tombstone for King Seoktalhae’s tomb. In 1961, he uncovered the largest Silla-era stone Buddha head in Cheolhwagok Valley, Namsan, and later identified General Kim Yu-shin’s unified prayer site on Yeolbak Mountain in 1971, earning him widespread recognition in academia.
Honors and Commemorations
For his unwavering commitment to cultural preservation, Choe Nam-ju was awarded the National Order of Dongbaek by the Korean government in 1970. The following year, he received Sweden’s Royal Order of Vasa, Knighthood, First Class, in recognition of his contributions to cultural exchange with Sweden. In 1975, he was invited to Sweden by King Carl Gustaf XVI, further enhancing his country’s prestige on the global stage.
In 2001, a stone memorial honoring Choe was erected at Seokdang Park, near General Kim Yu-shin’s tomb in Gyeongju. The memorial features inscriptions by esteemed Korean artists and scholars, celebrating Choe’s lasting contributions. Commemorative events marking the centenary of his birth in 2005 attracted archaeologists, historians, and Gyeongju citizens alike. In 2007, a memorial book was published by the Korean Society of Museum Studies to further preserve his legacy.
Choe Nam-ju’s life was one of tireless devotion to the exploration, protection, and preservation of Korea’s cultural heritage. He is remembered as a true guardian of history and a dedicated messenger of Silla’s enduring spirit.
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