Six National Heritage Sites Including Naesosa Daeungjeon Hall Damaged in Buan Earthquake

Choi Eungcheon, Director of the National Heritage Agency, inspecting the damage inside the Daeungbojeon Hall of Naesosa Temple in Buan.
[Photo by National Heritage Agency]

Damage occurred at various national heritage sites due to a magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck Buan, Jeonbuk, on the 12th.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced that as of 4 p.m. that day, a total of six cases of damage to national heritage caused by the earthquake were confirmed. There were three cases each of damage to nationally designated heritage, including treasures, and heritage designated by cities and provinces.

The treasure "Buan Naesosa Daeungbojeon," an important national heritage site that helps gauge architectural styles since the mid-Joseon period, was found to have some earth between the rafters fallen due to the earthquake. Some of the gongpo, a structural element designed to support the roof load, was confirmed to have shifted from its original position. In the Naesosa area, some stones forming the fence also fell.

Damage also occurred at Gaeamsa, another temple in Buan. Around the treasure Daeungjeon, cracks appeared in the fence of the temple office, and some roof tiles were damaged.

Regarding the Seokga Yeorae Samjonbul Jwasang, designated as a tangible cultural heritage of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, the head decoration of the Buddha statue was found to have fallen off as the area shook due to the earthquake.

At the dolmen site "Buan Guam-ri Jiseokmyo-gun," a historic site where natural rocks were removed and used as capstones, some parts of the fence were damaged by the vibration, and access to the surrounding area is currently prohibited.

The Cultural Heritage Administration established a disaster safety situation room that day and inspected the damage mainly through the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Jeonbuk Western Cultural Heritage Care Center. Major national heritage sites in surrounding areas, such as Buyeo Busosanseong and Naju Bogyam-ri Tumuli, were confirmed to be unharmed.

Choi Eung-cheon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, personally visited Naesosa and Gaeamsa in Buan that afternoon to inspect the damage to national heritage, including the national treasure "Buan Naesosa Bronze Bell."

Director Choi stated, "We plan to ascertain the specific damage caused by the earthquake," and added, "We will take necessary measures such as providing manpower and emergency repair funds to ensure swift restoration."