The objective of this study is to establish the method of conservation for traditional Korean settlements, based on the field surveys on the representative traditional settlements in Korea and China. The method is approached from grasping the conservation mechanism in which non-physical aspects deeply influence physical ones. The study has analyzed the characteristics and problems in the current methods of conservation for the traditional settlements, through comparing conservation practices at the World Heritage-class settlements such as Yangdong, Hahoi, and Oeam villages in Korea and Xidi-cun, Hong-cun, and Dangjia-cun in China. As a consequence of the study, the conservation method for the traditional Korean settlements is established as follows; Firstly, the conservation targets are classified into 4 types in terms of the relations of elements; individual, correspondent, sequential, and network elements. Secondly, the conservation strategies include the structuralizations of targets, by means of sequencing and networking. Thirdly, the conservation programs are made in consideration of the sustenance, transformation, replacement, and extinction of traditional use patterns.