The State Will Support Costs for Preserving Store Cultural Heritage

Reduced Burden on Signboard and Exhibit Production

A framework has been established for the government to support the costs of preserving cultural heritage buried beneath buildings or land. The amendment to the 'Act on the Protection and Investigation of Buried Cultural Heritage' passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 25th.

Previously, when important cultural heritage was discovered during excavation investigations causing construction projects to be canceled, the state and local governments would purchase the land to protect and manage the buried heritage. When only a portion was preserved on-site or relocated elsewhere, the project implementer had to bear the costs required for preservation measures.

With this amendment, starting next year, costs necessary for preservation measures either on-site or through relocation can be supported. The burden for additional soil layering to protect relics (yigu, traces that reveal the structure and style of ancient civil engineering and architecture), as well as for producing information boards and exhibits, will also be reduced.

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "A legal basis has been established to more effectively protect buried heritage," adding, "The enforcement decree will specify the exact support targets and scope, and from next year, related budgets will be allocated to support costs arising from the preservation of buried heritage."

Procedures required when conducting development projects around national heritage sites such as national treasures, treasures, and historic sites will also be simplified. Regulatory procedures that were previously dualized under the 'Cultural Heritage Protection Act' and the 'Act on the Protection and Investigation of Buried Cultural Heritage' have been integrated into the 'National Heritage Impact Assessment Act,' which passed the National Assembly plenary session on the same day.

The Cultural Heritage Administration added, "The period to confirm whether buried cultural heritage exists and to review its impact on preservation is expected to be reduced from a minimum of 40 days to ten days." They further stated, "Subordinate legislation will be enacted and the law will be implemented starting next year."