Boseong-gun Initiates Restoration of Obongsan, the World's Largest Guduljang Production Area

Preserving the Gudul Harvest Site Intact... Boseong-gun Promotes Registration as National Cultural Heritage

[Boseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Cheon-seok] Boseong County announced on the 5th its ambition to restore the Guduljang culture centered on Obongsan in Deungnyang-myeon and to stand at the center of Korean Ondol culture.

Obongsan in Boseong is known as a major production site of Guduljang, the material used in Korea's traditional Ondol culture. Quarrying activities were actively carried out there until the 1980s, and it is said to have accounted for 70 percent of the national Guduljang production.

On the 3rd, Boseong County conducted an on-site inspection with related experts including Dr. Kim Jun-bong, president of the International Ondol Society, and Professor Kim Ji-min of Mokpo National University, embarking on a full-scale restoration of the Obongsan Guduljang culture area.

Dr. Kim Jun-bong, who toured the site, said, “The Obongsan Guduljang site can be considered the world's largest Guduljang production area, and the fact that the work sites from that time are well preserved makes it a treasure-like place.” He added, “The academic value and excellence of the Guduljang culture possess both the outstanding qualities and universality as cultural assets, making it highly likely to be registered as a cultural heritage.”

At Obongsan in Boseong, the path used to carry Guduljang up to the mountain summit by small carts remains intact and can be visually confirmed. Around the hiking trail, the Guduljang quarry sites, stone pagodas, and Guduljang paths are endlessly connected, creating a magnificent view.

Since 2015, Boseong County has been conducting a three-year research project titled “The Story of Obongsan Guduljang” to highlight the excellence of Obongsan Guduljang, organizing preliminary work such as documenting the lifestyle culture of the region that prospered as a Guduljang production area.

Additionally, the “Obongsan Guduljang Promotion Committee,” composed of local residents, has been interviewing elders who were involved in Guduljang quarrying at the time and collecting related equipment and tools, compiling the history of Obongsan Guduljang.

Kim Cheol-woo, governor of Boseong County, said, “Obongsan in Boseong is a living site where one can glimpse Korea's Ondol culture,” adding, “We will utilize the entire Deungnyang Bay area to preserve the historical value of Ondol culture and develop it into a world-class tourist destination where people can experience Korea's outstanding Ondol culture.”

Meanwhile, after registering the Obongsan Guduljang cultural heritage, Boseong County plans to create a healing park inspired by Guduljang, including a Guduljang experience center, an Ondol culture exhibition hall, and Guduljang Garden, and is actively pursuing budget securing activities.