[2020 National Audit] "Taereung Athlete's Village, Some Facilities Should Be Preserved as Cultural Heritage"

Im Oh-kyung, Democratic Party Lawmaker, "Historical and Sports Historical Symbolism Must Be Considered"

Taereung Training Center Main Gate
Photo by Korea Sports Council

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Im Oh-kyung of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, has argued that some facilities of the Taereung Athletes' Village should be registered and protected as cultural heritage.

On the 12th, during the 2020 National Assembly audit of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Im stated that the historical and sports symbolic significance of the Taereung Athletes' Village must be taken into consideration.

When the Joseon Royal Tombs were registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2009, the Cultural Heritage Administration submitted a plan to demolish facilities including the Taereung Athletes' Village and requested the Korea Sports Council to relocate the Taereung Athletes' Village to implement this plan.

The Taereung Athletes' Village gradually transferred its functions to the Jincheon Athletes' Village, moving most facilities by December 2017; however, some facilities such as the Taereung International Skating Rink are still in use.

According to the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, cultural properties that are not designated cultural heritage but have been constructed, produced, or formed over 50 years ago and hold commemorative or symbolic value in various fields can be registered as national registered cultural heritage. The Taereung Athletes' Village began construction in June 1966.

In July 2015, the Korea Sports Council applied for cultural heritage registration for eight buildings within the Taereung Athletes' Village, including Wolgyegwan and the Olympic House. The Joint Subcommittee on Modern, Historic, and World Heritage of the Cultural Heritage Committee reviewed and re-examined the application and proposed preserving four buildings?Champion House, Stadium, Seungri Hall, and Wolgyegwan?as cultural heritage.

Im emphasized, "The Taereung Athletes' Village is a symbol of 20th-century domestic sports culture history and a part of Korea's modern and contemporary cultural heritage," adding, "Measures should be prepared to register and protect at least some of the facilities as cultural heritage."