Goguryeo's ancient murals are rotting.

 Goguryeo Ancient Tombs are rotting [Hankyoreh 2004-10-311 16:21] [Hankyoreh] Italian expert "Side Effects of Coating Work in North Korea and China 밀 Moisture Train in Closed Space" revealed that some of the Goguryeo Ancient Tombs on UNESCO World Heritage in June had moisture and mold on the wall. Moreover, there are concerns that at the current level of conservation science, there is no alternative technology to completely remove the resin film applied to the wall screen, so there is no choice but to stand by and watch the damage. Earlier this year, Italian paint preservation expert Rudolfo Rouhan Runford, who examined the management and preservation of Goguryeo tombs with three colleagues, unveiled the due diligence at the International Symposium (25-28) hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration and UNESCO at the Tower Hotel in Seoul. He said, "At the tomb mural in Deokheung-ri, Pyeongnam-do, traces of coating treatment that coats the mural with chemical paint are being seen," adding, "Because of the film, external air does not pass and moisture is full, so the salt of the stone formed the wall is sprouting and mold is being damaged." In Goguryeo tombs in North Korea, humidity and salt formation due to internal and external temperature differences were pointed out as problems, but Runford's remarks drew attention as it was the first time to mention the side effects of coating preservation treatment. Participant, Professor Jeon Ho-tae of Ulsan University, also said, "As a result of the survey, many of the early Goguryeo mural tombs, including Gakjeochong and Dance Guns, have been chemically coated since the 1970s, expanding stains on paint." Coating techniques that create a smooth surface by spraying chemical paint such as acrylic synthetic resin on murals as if lacquered on plywood were developed in Germany and Italy in the 70s and were often used to preserve murals around dry Mediterranean ruins until the 90s. Conservation scientists explain that it is an adhesive method to prevent old pigment fragments from falling off the wall and to prevent the surface from being crushed by sensitive changes in temperature and humidity. Coloring surfaces can be protected right now, but the problem is that they cannot prevent the increase in humidity and decay inside the murals over time. In the case of Goguryeo murals, soil and straws are mixed and reinforced to serve as supports on the back of the wall, and since the film prevents communication with the outside air, organic materials such as glue and pigments decay to form black mold stains. However, alternative techniques have yet to be developed to remove only fine films and prevent damage to the mural colored layer. Professor Jeon Ho-tae expressed concern, saying, "The tomb also has to meet with outside air and breathe, but it is caused by suffocation due to the film," adding, "If left unattended, mold or stains will grow and eat the colored walls black." Preservation expert Kang Dae-il, a professor at the Korea Traditional Culture School, also pointed out, "In the case of Takamatsu Ancient Tombs in Japan, where murals similar to Goguryeo tombs were found, mold spreads and we urgently need to create a consultation channel for conservation scientists in North Korea, China, and Japan." Meanwhile, a Chinese official who attended the symposium reportedly avoided direct mention of the issue in the discussion.