| Title |
The Formative Years and Scholarly Activities of North Korea’s Elite Architectural Scholar, Chang Hee-woong, 1929-1995 |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.5.165 |
| Keywords |
North Korea; Architecture; Defector; Architectural Scholar; Traditional Architecture |
| Abstract |
This study analyzes the formative years and scholarly activities of Chang Hee-woong, a prominent North Korean architectural scholar. Born
in Gyeongseong in 1929, Chang defected to North Korea after being expelled from Seoul National University’s Department of Architectural
Engineering. He continued his architectural studies at Pyongyang Construction College and later at Kiev Civil Engineering Institute. His thesis
at the Kiev Institute focused on North Korea’s standard housing, a pressing concern for architects and engineers in the DPRK at the time.
Following his return to Pyongyang in 1959, he turned his focus to architectural theory, exploring areas such as the application of socialist
realism, the modern interpretation of traditional architecture, and the study of architectural forms. Chang likely benefited from a favorable
background, shaped by the political standing of his father, Chang Kwon, his own Party loyalty, and access to elite education in both
Pyongyang and Kiev. Building on these advantages, he went on to make lifelong contributions to the development of North Korean
architectural theory. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, he was buried at the Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery in 1995. |