Gwangju City Conducts Emergency Safety Inspection of Cultural Heritage Sites Amid Cold Wave

20 Sites Including Wooden Structures and Tiled Roofs

Gwangju City formed an emergency response team from the 7th to the 9th in collaboration with district offices and the Cultural Heritage Care Center to prepare for the cold wave, conducting on-site inspections at 20 locations including Manchujeong and Hwadamsa. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City has conducted an emergency safety inspection of local cultural heritage sites. This was done to prevent damage to wooden architectural heritage caused by cold waves in winter and to prevent safety accidents involving citizens.

According to Gwangju City on the 10th, from the 7th to the 9th, an emergency response team was formed together with local districts and the Cultural Heritage Care Center, and a "cold wave preparedness field inspection" was carried out at 20 sites, including Manchwijeong and Hwadamsa.

This inspection focused on cultural heritage sites sensitive to snow load, such as wooden structures and traditional tiled roofs. Due to the structural vulnerability of wooden buildings, preemptive measures were taken, such as installing supports to remove snow from roofs and distribute weight. In addition, drainage systems and roof structures were checked and reinforced to prevent water accumulation caused by ice and snow, thereby preventing potential leaks and cracks.

During this inspection, minor repairs to cultural heritage sites were addressed immediately, and if significant costs were required, emergency repair budgets would be provided to the local districts. In case of damage to cultural heritage caused by heavy snowfall, cultural heritage committee members will be quickly dispatched to the site to implement safety measures and carry out emergency repairs.

The city plans to continue cooperating with relevant agencies to prioritize the protection of cultural heritage and citizen safety by reviewing and improving disaster and emergency response systems. In addition, self-inspections of cultural heritage sites are conducted every year in the first and second half. For wooden cultural heritage, fire drills are also conducted. Alongside these efforts, about 20 cultural heritage caretakers are constantly monitoring the sites to strengthen heritage management.

Jeon Soonhee, head of the Cultural Heritage Resources Division, said, "Heavy snowfall in winter can significantly threaten the structural stability of cultural heritage," and added, "We will do our best to protect valuable cultural heritage and ensure citizen safety through thorough inspections and preventive measures."