SEOUL, June 12, 2025 — Thirty-three invaluable Buddhist artifacts, including several state-designated cultural properties, were safely relocated from the Central Buddhist Museum in central Seoul following a fire that broke out at a building within the Jogyesa temple complex last week.
The fire, which occurred on June 3 at around 10:22 a.m., started in the international conference hall on the second floor of the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall, adjacent to the temple. The Central Buddhist Museum, located on the basement level of a building connected to the hall, was not directly affected by the blaze. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire by 11:57 a.m., and no injuries were reported.
As a precautionary measure, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism announced on June 4 that it had moved 33 artifacts to the nearby National Palace Museum of Korea late on the evening of the fire. Among the relocated pieces are nine National Treasures, nine Treasures, two items classified as Regional Tangible Cultural Heritage, and 13 other nondesignated artifacts. According to the Jogye Order, all items were transported without damage.
Artifacts stored in the museum’s third basement-level storage facility remained onsite following a thorough safety inspection. A senior official from the Jogye Order confirmed that the area was deemed secure.
The fire prompted the early closure of the museum's special exhibition, “Hoseon Euigyeom: The Buddha Revealed at the Tip of the Brush,” which was originally scheduled to run until June 29.
Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order, publicly apologized the day after the incident, acknowledging shortcomings in the temple’s safety protocols. “We deeply regret the concern caused to the public and are taking steps to improve our safety measures,” he said in a statement.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire.
Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com
SEOUL, June 12, 2025 — Thirty-three invaluable Buddhist artifacts, including several state-designated cultural properties, were safely relocated from the Central Buddhist Museum in central Seoul following a fire that broke out at a building within the Jogyesa temple complex last week.
The fire, which occurred on June 3 at around 10:22 a.m., started in the international conference hall on the second floor of the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall, adjacent to the temple. The Central Buddhist Museum, located on the basement level of a building connected to the hall, was not directly affected by the blaze. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire by 11:57 a.m., and no injuries were reported.
As a precautionary measure, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism announced on June 4 that it had moved 33 artifacts to the nearby National Palace Museum of Korea late on the evening of the fire. Among the relocated pieces are nine National Treasures, nine Treasures, two items classified as Regional Tangible Cultural Heritage, and 13 other nondesignated artifacts. According to the Jogye Order, all items were transported without damage.
Artifacts stored in the museum’s third basement-level storage facility remained onsite following a thorough safety inspection. A senior official from the Jogye Order confirmed that the area was deemed secure.
The fire prompted the early closure of the museum's special exhibition, “Hoseon Euigyeom: The Buddha Revealed at the Tip of the Brush,” which was originally scheduled to run until June 29.
Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order, publicly apologized the day after the incident, acknowledging shortcomings in the temple’s safety protocols. “We deeply regret the concern caused to the public and are taking steps to improve our safety measures,” he said in a statement.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire.
Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com
