Gwangyang Ssangsaja Stone Lantern Restoration Project 'Ignited'

City Selected as First Fund Project for Hometown Love Donation System
50,000 Signatures Delivered to National Museum of Korea

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do selected the 'Restoration of the Stone Lantern to Its Original Place Project' as the first fund project under the Hometown Love Donation Program in December last year and launched a city-wide signature campaign.

The signature campaign, which began with the participation of over 70 civic organizations and more than 150 citizens, was conducted through town and township offices and the Gwangyang City Hall website. With active participation from the steering committee and social organizations, 50,000 signatures were collected within six months.

The Committee for Returning the Gwangyang Ssangsaja Stone Lantern to Its Original Location submitted a petition and a letter of request to the National Museum of Korea on the 10th.
[Photo by Gwangyang City]

The Steering Committee for the Restoration of the Twin Lion Stone Lantern at Gwangyang Junghungsanseong, a national treasure, announced on the 10th that they delivered the petition and letter of request containing the citizens' wishes to the National Museum of Korea.

On that day, Co-Chairman Park Du-gyu explained the justification for restoring the Twin Lion Stone Lantern to its original place, saying, “National heritage should be in its original location for its meaning and value to shine. Our citizens take pride in Gwangyang’s only national treasure and hope the stone lantern will return as soon as possible.”

The National Museum of Korea stated, “It is possible to relocate the Twin Lion Stone Lantern at Junghungsanseong to its original site; however, safety management measures must be prioritized.” They added, “Verification and excavation investigations of the original site and managing the site at the level of a historic site are necessary to ensure the safety of the national treasure.”

In response, a Gwangyang City official said, “We are currently conducting a trial excavation at the original site. We will continue to carry out the restoration project by securing factual evidence and preparing future preservation and management measures.”