The National Heritage Agency is set to launch a full-scale renovation project this year to improve the living conditions of residents near national heritage sites and to restore heritage landscapes.
The targeted sites include five heritage locations: Taean Anheungjinseong, Namwon Eupseong, Wando Cheonghaejin relics, Naju Eupseong, and Yecheon Hoeryongpo. Last year, the National Heritage Agency selected these areas through a local government public offering and completed the basic planning. This year, 2 billion KRW from the national budget will be invested in each region to commence substantial renovation efforts.
The renovation project includes demolishing neglected facilities, repairing old fences and roofs, improving walkways, installing parking lots and restrooms, and creating rest areas to enhance the living conditions of residents. Improvements to the viewing environment, such as visitor information centers, photo zones, and trail maintenance, will also be carried out concurrently.
At Anheungjinseong, a comprehensive tourism information center and community meeting hall will be established, while existing portable restrooms and information centers will be dismantled. Vacant houses will be converted into rest facilities, and parking capacity will be expanded. In Namwon Eupseong, the excavation and renovation design for the site of the Uichongyuji will begin, and in Wando Cheonghaejin relics, the living environment will be enhanced through improvements to village paths and General Jeong Road.
The National Heritage Agency is also preparing guidelines for resident support projects along with the expansion of additional target sites for renovation. By revising the ‘Act on the Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage’ last year, they secured the legal basis for supporting residents in regulated national heritage areas.
The National Heritage Agency will continue its efforts to expand the target sites for the ‘National Heritage Landscape Improvement Support Project’ and to establish a national heritage ecosystem benefitting both local residents and visitors through proactive administration supporting efficient operation of local government resident support projects.
