Storage and Exhibition of Over 40,000 Marine Artifacts... Mokpo Yedamgo Opens

Commemorative Exhibition 'Crossing the Sea, Beyond Time' Held

A space to appreciate artifacts found under the sea is opening in Mokpo, Jeonnam.

The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association announced on the 16th that they will open the 'Marine Region Yedamgo (庫)'. It is a facility for storing, managing, and utilizing excavated and discovered artifacts that have not been designated as national heritage. Similar facilities are already operating in the Chungcheong and Honam regions.

The newly opened Yedamgo was created by renovating a building that served as a dormitory for female students from island areas in Jeonnam from 1979 to 2003. It mainly handles artifacts from marine regions and island areas. It stores over 41,000 artifacts from fifty archaeological sites, including pottery excavated from the Gosan-ri site in Jeju and porcelain found in the Mado sea area of Taean.

To commemorate the opening, the Cultural Heritage Administration and the association are holding an exhibition titled "Crossing the Sea, Beyond Time" at the permanent exhibition hall starting today, featuring about 160 artifacts. Visitors can appreciate artifacts from sites such as Gunsan Sipidongpado and Biando, and experience the entire preservation process including classification, cleaning, and restoration of artifacts in the storage facility.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to establish additional Yedamgo facilities by region. In March next year, the Yeongnam region Yedamgo will open utilizing the Mogok Tunnel in Haman, and by 2028 at the latest, Yedamgo facilities for the Capital and Gangwon regions will be prepared.