▲ This photo, shows a termite detection dog looking for termites in Deoksugung Palace, Seoul, in 2018. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ This photo, provided by the report, shows the result of analysis on the degree of damage from termites in designated cultural properties. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ This photo, provided by the report, shows the result of analysis on the degree of damage from termites in designated cultural properties by region. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- Termites, which mainly live in humid and out of sunlight, migrate underground and feed on dead trees and fallen leaves.

This might not seem important, but with wooden structures and wooden architectural heritages, it occurs as a big one. This is because, termites, once infiltrated, gnaw the wood from the inside, causing great damage.

According to the academia on Sunday, Kim Si-hyeon, a researcher at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, and Jeong Yong-jae, a professor at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, pu

According to academia on the 25th, Kim Si-hyeon, a researcher at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, and Jeong Yong-jae, a professor at the Graduate School of Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, published a research report titled “An Analysis of Termite(R. speratus kyushuensis) Damage to Nationally Designated Wooden Architectural Heritage in Korea” in the latest issue of the Korean Journal of Cultural Heritage Studies, “MUNHWAJAE.” It is estimated that many architectural cultural assets have suffered damage from termites.

The extent of termite damage to each cultural heritage was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively and comparatively analyzed by region using the results of the “Investigation on Biological Damage to Wooden Architectural Heritages” conducted by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage from 2016 to 2019, with a total of 362 nationally designated wooden architectural heritages (1,104 buildings) including national treasures, treasures and national folklore cultural heritages.

The results showed that 317, out of 362 (87.6%) wooden architectural heritages showed termite damages using detection dogs.

185 wooden architectural heritages (51.1%), on the other hand showed visible termite damages.
Furthermore, termite damage was confirmed using one of two methods, using either detection dogs or visual inspection in 324 cases(89.5%). This means that 9 out of 10 wooden architectural heritages would probably suffer from termite damages.

Among the 1,104 buildings, termite detection dogs reacted at 668(60.5%), while 339(30.7%) showed visible termite damage.

With 402 individual buildings (36.4%) in which termite damage was not confirmed by both methods, it only accounts for about one third.

The average rate of termite damage across Korea among the absence of buildings was 9.2% according to detection dogs and 2.8% according to visual inspections.

The result of examining the incidence and extent of termite damage by dividing the country into nine regions showed some differences accordingly.

Although termite detection dogs reacted to more than 70% of the cultural heritage in all regions, the Jeonbuk area (23 out of 24 cases, 95.8%) and Gyeongbuk region (125 out of 135 cases, 92.6%) were statistically 20% higher than the metropolitan area (40 out of 56 cases, 71.4%).

The visible damage in Chungnam (21 out of 32 cases, 65.6%) and Jeonnam (35 out of 52 cases, 67.3%) was severe.

“The distribution of termites is affected by temperature, altitude and some other factors. As much as there are significant differences in regions and structures of the cultural assets, it is difficult to say if there is a big reason behind the difference in the regions,” said Kim Si-hyeon, a researcher at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.

Regarding the difference depending on the investigation method, he explained, "The detection dog literally checks the presence of termites by smell, so there are cases where they smell and react even if there is no direct damage to the building."

The research team emphasized the need for preventive measures to prevent further damage as it was confirmed that termite damage has occurred or has progressed in a number of state-designated wooden cultural assets through this study.

They suggested, "It is necessary to establish and implement measures to prevent and manage termite-related damage to all wooden architectural cultural assets, away from the method of controlling specific buildings or objects."

Since 2011, the Cultural Heritage Administration has been conducting a complete investigation of termite damage on wooden cultural assets.

Last year, a comprehensive plan to control these problems were prepared, and “Termite Drug Certification Standard,” which evaluates and sets drugs for the specific wooden cultural properties, is expected to be released around 2024.

“We plan to expand the scope of insect repellent projects so that termite habitats can be removed in advance and on time along with the strengthening of the environmental maintenance around the wooden cultural heritage site,” said an official from the cultural heritage site.

 

 

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.) 

 

 

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