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2025 Busan Museum–Busan Archaeological Society Joint Academic Symposium “Busan Armor That Protected Joseon”

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The Busan Museum announced that it will host the 2025 Joint Academic Symposium titled “Busan Armor That Protected Joseon” on April 19 (Sat) at 1:00 PM in the main auditorium of the Museum. The symposium is jointly organized with the Busan Archaeological Society, a leading research organization in the region.

This academic forum will include welcoming remarks, keynote presentations by five experts, and a general discussion session with participation from eight scholars. The event is free and open to the public.

Busan is the only city in Korea where all types of representative Joseon-era armor have been excavated. Findings include scale armor (chalgap) from Dongnae Eupseong Fortress and two-piece metal plate armor (dujeonggap) from Cheonseongjin Fortress. Additionally, numerous suits of Gaya armor have been unearthed from the Bokcheon-dong Ancient Tombs. These discoveries solidify Busan’s reputation as the “City of Armor.”

Building on last year’s symposium on Gaya armor, this year’s symposium focuses on Joseon-era armor, examining its evolution, characteristics, and military applications—especially in naval warfare during periods such as the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592–1598).

Symposium Overview

• ●Date: April 19, 2025 (Sat), 13:00–17:30

• ●Venue: Busan Museum Auditorium (63 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan)

• ●Audience: Citizens, researchers, and invited guests (approx. 150 attendees)

• ●Organizers: Busan Museum Research Division & Busan Archaeological Society

Presentations:

• 1.Current Status of Joseon-era Armor Excavations in Busan — Kim Yu-jung, Curator, Busan Museum

• 2.Analysis and Restoration of Late Joseon Armor — Im Ji-young & Kim Seong-ho, Research Fellows, Busan National University Museum

• 3.The Evolution of Joseon Armor — Yun Yong-chul, Professor Emeritus, Pusan National University

• 4.Characteristics of Scale Armor and Two-Piece Metal Plate Armor — Park Ga-young, Professor, Soongeui Women's College

• 5.Weapons and Tactics of the Joseon Navy — Kim Byung-ryun, Senior Researcher, National Defense and Security Forum

General Discussion:

• ●Moderator: Lee Ju-heon, Former Director, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage

• ●Panelists:

• ○Park Je-gwang, Chief Curator, Konkuk University Museum

• ○Lee Min-woong, Chair Professor, Daegu Catholic University

• ○Lee Ju-young, Professor, Tongmyong University

In conjunction with the symposium, the Busan Museum is also hosting a special themed exhibition titled “Armor of Armors: Busan Armor”, running until May 11 in the special exhibition gallery. This exhibition is divided into two sections:

• 1.Wearing Busan’s Armor

• 2.Armor: The Pinnacle of Joseon Technology

The exhibition is free and open to all visitors.

For further details about the symposium, please contact the Museum’s Research Division at 051-610-7195, or for information on the exhibition, call 051-610-7145.

Jeong Eun-woo, Director of the Busan Museum, remarked,

“We are excited to present this academic symposium and accompanying special exhibition on Joseon-era armor from Busan. We invite everyone to join us on a beautiful spring day to explore this significant part of Korean history and culture. With the support of the Busan Archaeological Society, we aim to create a meaningful event for both citizens and researchers.”