Citizens' Rights Commission to Decide Policy Recommendations After Expert Field Discussions Next Month
Public Opinion Strong on Resolving Controversy Before Construction of Namdo Uibyung History Museum
The controversy over whether to preserve or demolish Goguryeo Palace at Naju Video Theme Park is expected to be resolved in April.
The Naju Citizens' Rights Committee plans to hold one more on-site debate with experts from both sides by mid-next month and, based on the discussion results, decide on a policy recommendation regarding the preservation or demolition of Goguryeo Palace to submit to Naju City.
Although the policy recommendation is not binding, the main role of the Citizens' Rights Committee is to propose practical solutions to the administration by addressing the wishes and conflict management of the majority of residents and their difficulties. Therefore, this policy recommendation is expected to be a critical turning point for Naju City in deciding whether to preserve or demolish Goguryeo Palace.
Moreover, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Namdo Uibyung History Museum, a project pledged by the Governor of Jeollanam-do rather than a Naju City initiative, is scheduled for April 30, local public opinion is growing stronger that the issue of demolishing Goguryeo Palace should be resolved without further delay before the ceremony.
At a debate held on the 14th in the large conference room of Naju City Hall, hosted by the Citizens' Rights Committee, this sentiment was predominant.
A resident of Gongsan-myeon raised his voice passionately during the Q&A session, saying, "Not a single resident living in Gongsan-myeon, where the museum will be built, opposes the demolition of Goguryeo Palace," and shouted at the presenter opposing demolition, "If this important project fails because of the claims of a tiny minority unrelated to Gongsan-myeon's development, will you take responsibility then?"
An attendee who identified himself as a descendant of the Uibyung also expressed frustration, saying, "I want to ask if you know how much effort the entire Namdo Uibyung clan has put into uniting for the greater good to attract the Namdo Uibyung History Museum to Uihyang Naju," and added, "I cannot understand this sudden drama set controversy at all."
In response, some civic groups advocating for the preservation of Goguryeo Palace clarified during the debate that they are not opposing the construction of the Namdo Uibyung History Museum itself but are insisting on preserving Goguryeo Palace, which is not part of the museum construction site.
They argued that there are no safety issues with the Goguryeo Palace structures, remodeling costs are in the tens of millions of won rather than hundreds of millions, and considering the ongoing popularity of the drama "Jumong," which is broadcast worldwide, the existing buildings should be utilized to create tourism synergy alongside the Namdo Uibyung History Museum.
On the other hand, according to a structural expert who attended the debate, coexistence of the museum and the existing buildings is practically difficult due to safety concerns from aging facilities, cost-effectiveness of budget investment, and disharmony with the museum.
In particular, Goguryeo Palace is a set-style building constructed for the drama "Jumong" filming, and remodeling or reconstruction for repurposing would require an excessive budget comparable to new construction costing hundreds of millions of won, the expert explained.
As evidence, Jeollanam-do conducted a detailed safety inspection service in March 2022, a month before the international design competition for the museum, through a safety diagnosis expert institution designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, covering the Video Theme Park's Buyeogung and Goguryeo Palace.
According to the service report, Goguryeo Palace was judged to require demolition due to structural safety and durability concerns such as "decay of upper wooden structures," "cross-sectional loss," and "sagging and deformation."
Regarding the lower palace facilities, demolition was deemed inevitable considering "lack of structural safety due to deteriorated concrete quality," "rapid carbonation progression," "lack of seismic performance," "creative design constraints of new construction," and "durability design limitations of new buildings."
Judges who participated in the international design competition for the museum also expressed opinions that Naju Video Theme Park, being a drama filming set different from traditional wooden architecture, would be difficult to structurally modify and harmonize with the special purpose and characteristics of the new museum.
Meanwhile, the Namdo Uibyung History Museum is a key project of Jeollanam-do to honor the patriotic spirit of the Namdo Uibyung and inherit the Uibyung spirit.
In July 2020, Jeollanam-do selected approximately 110,000 pyeong in the Naju Video Theme Park area in Gongsan-myeon, Naju City, as the site for the Namdo Uibyung History Park and Museum through a public contest.
The museum construction process is underway with the goal of opening in the second half of 2025.
The demolition of all facilities at Naju Video Theme Park was decided following the announcement of the winning entry of the international design competition held on April 26, 2022, which involved 122 teams from 26 countries.
Currently, Buyeogung has been demolished to secure the site for the first phase of the museum construction.
Following Buyeogung, the demolition of Goguryeo Palace, located above the set, is planned, but opposition from some civic groups advocating for the preservation and utilization of the facilities has caused a stalemate.
Goguryeo Palace and the fortress walls correspond to the second phase site of the museum construction project.
According to the winning design, this site is planned to include auxiliary facilities to activate museum use, such as an observatory, lawn yard, glamping, 4D metaverse experience space, and meditation forest.
Jeollanam-do is currently conducting detailed design work for the installation of a bridge on Local Road 801 between Gongsan and Dasi to improve accessibility to the Namdo Uibyung History Museum and is considering the installation of the Namdo Uibyung History Forest with camping grounds, playgrounds, walking trails, photo zones, and an observatory.
Naju City is also confirmed to be promoting related projects such as creating a waterside park in the Daya Field area of the Yeongsan River Naju district national integrated river project and installing an elevator between Daya Field and the museum.
A citizen residing in Bitgaram-dong said in an interview with this paper, "It is hard to sympathize with the claims of some civic groups who distrust even the statements of structural experts who have worked professionally in their fields for their entire lives," and added, "I hope the Goguryeo Palace controversy, which causes unnecessary regional conflicts, will be resolved quickly through objective verification and discussion by experts."
Naju = Kim Yukbong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr
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