Study Visit on Aircraft Preservation Initiatives in the Republic of Korea
The Center for Conservation Science at the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties conducts research on the preservation of aircraft as cultural heritage. As part of this work, in June 2026, representatives of the Center visited South Korea to learn about aircraft preservation initiatives and exchange views with Korean specialists.
In South Korea, efforts are underway to preserve and make use of historically significant aircraft. These include the designation of several aircraft as National Registered Cultural Heritage, such as *Buhwal* (“Rebirth”), the first aircraft manufactured in Korea, and the opening of the National Aviation Museum of Korea in 2020. The War Memorial of Korea also preserves and displays numerous original and reconstructed aircraft, particularly those related to the Korean War.
During the visit, Dr. Kang Hyun-Sam of the War Memorial of Korea kindly accompanied us to the National Aviation Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea, the Boramae Safety Experience Center, and other facilities.
At the National Aviation Museum of Korea, we learned about indoor exhibition conditions, routine aircraft maintenance, and plans for the future preservation of a former presidential aircraft that was newly placed on outdoor display in 2026. At the War Memorial of Korea, Dr. Kang described their past efforts to conserve the many aircraft displayed both indoors and outdoors, as well as details of an ongoing project to renew the paintwork on several aircraft. At the Boramae Safety Experience Center, we learned about the conservation of the helicopter Magpie No. 2, which is designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage. At each facility, staff explained both the practical measures being taken and the challenges they face.
Each aircraft has a different history and is preserved under different conditions. The visit provided us with many valuable insights that will help inform future approaches to the preservation and display of aircraft in Japan.
We plan to invite Korean researchers to Japan to introduce aircraft preservation initiatives here and to continue exchanging ideas on how both countries can further improve their approaches.
*Further information on major aircraft designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage in the Republic of Korea is available in the list below (in Korean).
https://researchmap.jp/tsuyoshi_chiba/presentations/47770144