Naju-si Accelerates Restoration of Local Government Building 'Naju Mok Gwana'

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is accelerating the restoration of the Naju-mok Gwana, a nationally designated historic site with high preservation value that represents the historical identity of Naju, the center of Honam, through the relocation of the Geumnam-dong Administrative Welfare Center building.

Through the relocation of the office building and the removal of obstacles within the cultural heritage zone, a trial excavation and archaeological investigation for restoration will be actively conducted, and efforts will be intensified to restore the ‘Naju-mok Dongheon,’ a key building of the Naju-mok Gwana.

According to Naju City on the 24th, the Naju-mok Gwana, National Historic Site No. 483, is a local administrative institution building complex within the Naju Eupseong during the Joseon Dynasty, encompassing Geumseonggwan (guesthouse), Moksanaea (residence of the Naju magistrate), Hyangcheong (local governor’s advisory and support organization), and Hyanggyo (educational institution of the Joseon period).

Restoration Completion Ceremony of Naju Mokgwana Hyangcheong.
[Photo by Naju City]

The city holds that the site, which retains the beauty of traditional Hanok architecture and is located in the city center, will serve as a catalyst for a revolutionary improvement of the urban landscape through restoration, as well as for regional tourism and economic revitalization.

In particular, it is highly valued as a historic site that reflects the status and historical identity of Naju-mok, which served as the administrative center of Honam from the Goryeo and Joseon periods through modern times.

The Naju-mok Dongheon (東軒), which is being restored, is one of the buildings constituting the Naju-mok Gwana, including Moksanaea and Jeongsuru, and was the place where the magistrate conducted official duties. It is also called ‘Jegumheon’ (製錦軒).

The excavation of the Dongheon site has been underway since May 2012, starting with the demolition of the Geumgye Daily Market. This year, starting with the relocation of the Geumnam-dong office, demolition work of the temporary parking lot on the south side of Jeongsuru and the outdoor performance hall will proceed sequentially for restoration.

The excavation site designated as a cultural heritage zone covers a total of 69 parcels, totaling 16,366 square meters, including the Geumnam-dong Administrative Welfare Center, outdoor performance hall, the old Central Church, and the temporary parking lot on the south side of Jeongsuru.

The Geumnam-dong office building will be temporarily relocated to the former Local Food Direct Store Geumnam branch in June, and the site for the new office building will be reviewed based on the results of the excavation investigation.

The restoration of the Naju-mok Gwana is considered a core project for revitalizing historical, cultural, and ecological tourism and realizing the era of 5 million Naju tourists, which are goals of the 8th elected administration.

The city previously restored Manghwaryu of Geumseonggwan, a local palace during the Joseon Dynasty and a guesthouse where central officials and foreign envoys stayed, in 2002, followed by the restoration of Seoikheon in 2005, Dongikheon in 2007, and a pond in 2018.

Subsequently, the Naju-mok Hyangcheong, a local autonomous organization that advised and assisted the local governor as a local town facility during the Joseon Dynasty, was also restored and is currently used as a cultural and artistic space for citizens.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “The restoration project of Naju-mok Gwana will be a catalyst for establishing the brilliant historical identity of Naju, the grand city of Honam, and for revitalizing tourism. We will do our best to carry out the restoration project without causing inconvenience to residents due to the temporary relocation of the Geumnam-dong office and the excavation of the national historic site.”

Naju = Kim Yukbong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr