Geumcheon-gu, Preserving and Utilizing the Value of Local Cultural Heritage

Geumcheon-gu, Cultural Heritage Preservation Association, Hoapsa Temple, and Bulyoungam Rock Sign Agreement for Cultural Heritage Excavation Cooperation

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) announced on August 25 that it has signed a business agreement with the Geumcheon-gu Cultural Heritage Preservation Association (representative Song Yu-geun), the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's Hoapsa Temple (head monk Hyunmin), and Bulyoungam Temple (head monk Deokyu) for the systematic preservation, management, and utilization of local cultural assets.

The main contents of the agreement include ▲ identifying new cultural heritage to enhance the history and value of Geumcheon-gu ▲ conducting academic research to raise the value of undervalued cultural heritage ▲ investigating traditional temple cultural heritage ▲ protecting and managing cultural heritage for its transmission.

Additionally, Geumcheon-gu will operate a 'Joint Public-Private Task Force (TF) for Cultural Heritage Investigation and Excavation' together with the Preservation Association, Hoapsa Temple, and Bulyoungam Temple. Over the next two years, they will conduct joint investigations and promote projects to enhance the value of cultural heritage.

Research will cover not only registered cultural heritage such as Hoamsanseong Fortress (National Historic Site No. 343), the seated stone Buddha statue at Hoapsa Temple (Seoul City Cultural Property No. 8), and the burial grounds of the Sunheung An clan's Yangdogong branch (Seoul City Tangible Cultural Property No. 74), but also natural heritage like the ginkgo tree (aged 885 years), the zelkova tree (aged 525 years), and unregistered cultural heritage.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, stated, “Geumcheon-gu is a city with a deep history, having been incorporated into Goguryeo territory in the late 4th century and continuing as Geumcheon-hyeon during the Joseon Dynasty. Through this agreement, we will reexamine the value of Geumcheon's cultural heritage via public-private cooperation and establish its historical identity.”