[2022 National Audit] "Solar Power Projects Damage Ten Sites with Buried Cultural Heritage"

Construction Continued Despite Discovering Celadon and White Porcelain During Work
"Irresponsible Project Implementation Is the Cause... A Full Investigation Is Needed"

Several areas with buried cultural heritage have been damaged by solar power projects.

According to the 'Status of Damage and Excavation Permit Omissions in Areas with Buried Cultural Heritage' disclosed on the 10th by Lee Yong-ho, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the People Power Party, the damaged areas include three sites in 2018, one in 2019, three in 2020, one last year, and two this year (as of August), totaling ten sites.

According to the 'Act on the Protection and Investigation of Buried Cultural Heritage,' developers planning projects such as solar power in areas with buried cultural heritage must first consult with local governments and agree to implement preservation measures or preliminary surveys. Solar power developer A ignored the consultation in 2018 to save time and leveled the area with buried cultural heritage. Another developer, B, did not conduct even a preliminary survey because the local government official failed to inform them about protective measures. Some developers proceeded with construction despite discovering celadon and white porcelain during the solar power project.

The issue of damage to these areas is essentially identified through voluntary reports, tips, or detection, as regular inspections are not conducted. Representative Lee stated, "The indiscriminate promotion of solar power projects by the previous government appears to be the fundamental cause," and emphasized, "Even now, a full survey of solar power facilities installed in areas with buried cultural heritage should be conducted, along with regular inspections."