After the Korean War, Suwon residents would remark, “The East Gate went away, the West Gate ran away, the North Gate broke away, but the South Gate stands alone.” However, Suwon Hwaseong has now been nearly completely restored. Following the death of King Jungjo, who devoted much attention and support to Hwaseong, memories of the fortress gradually faded. Suwon Hwaseong suffered extensive damage during the Korean War, and after the war ended, most of the palace collapsed, except for several facilities.

The restoration work commenced in 1975 and was almost finished within three years. The rapid and comprehensive restoration of Hwaseong was made possible by the book entitled “The Principles of Behavior and Manner for Sacred Precincts of Hwaseong.” This book meticulously details the construction of Hwaseong, encompassing records of construction costs, schedules, personnel in charge, major structures, tools, and even includes pictures. It also elucidates on the proposals made to the king by his servants, workers' earnings during their labor, and other specifics.

For recognition as a World Heritage site, the historical and artistic nature of the heritage is crucial, alongside its maintenance and preservation in its original form. In this regard, many of Hwaseong’s facilities were lost, posing difficulties for UNESCO recognition. However, thanks to the detailed documentation in “The Principles of Behavior and Manner for Sacred Precincts of Hwaseong,” the original appearance of the palace was nearly completely restored.

Furthermore, the record, “The Arranged Principles of Behavior and Manner for the Royal Visit to His Father,” written in 1795, is also an important document. This record comprehensively details the royal visit of 1795, the 60th birthday banquet held that year, preparations, mobilization of personnel and goods, scenes from the banquet, catering, aspects of the royal event, the royal procession, and military training, accompanied by corresponding pictures and explanations. It's reported that UNESCO investigators found no faults in Suwon Hwaseong due to the detailed and thorough records. Consequently, it was listed as a World Heritage site.