[National Heritage Era] New Signboard 'Gukga Yusan Cheong'... Completely Changing Structure and Duties②

Major Changes in the Cultural Heritage Administration After 25 Years of Reorganization
Operated by Dividing into Cultural, Natural, and Intangible Heritage Departments
New National Heritage Industry Promotion Team Established... Subordinate Organizations Also Renamed

The Cultural Heritage Administration is embarking on a new start in line with the enforcement of the 'Basic Act on National Heritage.' On the 17th, it will change its signboard to the 'National Heritage Agency' and reorganize its structure and system. Emphasizing the creation of future value over preservation and regulation, it aims to foster 'K-Heritage.' The legal and administrative systems will be reorganized around 'national heritage,' and heritage will be subdivided into cultural heritage, natural heritage, and intangible heritage for efficient management and utilization.

This is a major change 25 years after the agency was reorganized as the Cultural Heritage Administration in 1999. Although it was promoted to a vice-ministerial level agency in 2004, this is the first time the organization’s name, structure, and duties have been changed. The English name will also change. The previous name was 'Cultural Heritage Administration,' which strongly implied preservation and management of cultural assets. The new name is 'Korea Heritage Service,' reflecting the concept of 'service' rather than 'management.' It signifies that the state takes responsibility for and leads cultural heritage, natural heritage, and intangible heritage while providing services.

This commitment is also reflected in the organizational structure and duties. Until now, the Cultural Heritage Administration operated with one bureau, three divisions, 19 sections, two teams, and two units (based on the headquarters organization), divided according to the nature of policy, preservation, and utilization tasks. Under the new system, it is divided into the 'Cultural Heritage Bureau,' 'Natural Heritage Bureau,' and 'Intangible Heritage Bureau' according to heritage types. Additionally, a 'Heritage Policy Bureau' overseeing safety, disaster prevention, World Heritage, and overseas heritage will be established, operating with one bureau, four divisions, 24 sections, one unit, and five teams. For example, the 'Tangible Cultural Heritage Division' and the 'Natural Monument Division,' which were previously under the 'Cultural Heritage Preservation Bureau,' will be separated into the Cultural Heritage Bureau and the Natural Heritage Bureau, respectively.

New organizations and positions are also noteworthy. A 'National Heritage Industry Promotion Team' will be created to encourage the utilization industry of national heritage and induce related job creation, and a 'Local Extinction Crisis Heritage Response Unit' will be formed to respond to the crisis of local extinction. The Heritage Policy Bureau will also have a 'Religious Heritage Cooperation Officer,' serving as a bridge to handle heritage related to Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, and to foster cooperation.

Changes are also found in affiliated institutions. Following the enforcement of the Basic Act on National Heritage, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will be renamed the 'National Heritage Research Institute,' the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage will become the 'National Maritime Heritage Research Institute,' and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation will be renamed the 'Overseas Korean Heritage Foundation.' The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation will also transform its organization and name to the 'National Heritage Promotion Agency.' The Cultural Heritage Committee and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, which investigate and deliberate on preservation, management, and utilization of cultural assets, will be subdivided into the 'Cultural Heritage Committee,' 'Natural Heritage Committee,' and 'Intangible Heritage Committee,' with different names.

The Cultural Heritage Administration experienced considerable difficulties during the process of implementing these changes. This was due to reorganizing the divisions responsible for intangible and natural heritage into bureau-level units and adjusting some duties and personnel between the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the National Intangible Heritage Center. In particular, there were differing opinions until recently on whether to relocate the organization to Jeonju, where the National Intangible Heritage Center is located, or keep it at the Daejeon headquarters during the establishment of the Intangible Heritage Bureau.

Voices pointing out structural problems have also emerged. The Cultural Heritage Bureau is a representative example. Previously, each bureau had 4 to 5 divisions, but now it is organized with 6 divisions, 1 unit, and 3 teams underneath. This effectively means there are 10 divisions, raising concerns about work overload. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "We plan to strengthen the completeness of organizational reorganization through consultations with related ministries and agencies."