Visitors to Free-Access Cultural Heritage Temples Increase 2.5 Times... 56.8 Billion Won Government Funding This Year

Jogye Order Reports Visitor Numbers at 63 Temples Have Doubled
This Year, Cultural Heritage Administration Allocates 56.8 Billion KRW for Heritage Admission Support

The number of visitors to traditional temples has significantly increased following the suspension of cultural heritage admission fees. It is analyzed that the reduction of the existing admission fees through government budget support has been effective.

On May 4, 2023, the first day of the implementation of free admission to cultural heritage sites, a banner from Sinheungsa Temple announcing free entry was hung at the ticket gate at the entrance of Seoraksan National Park. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on the 31st, after implementing the reduction of admission fees for nationally designated cultural heritage in May 2023, the number of visitors to 63 temples under the order that possess these cultural heritages has more than doubled compared to before.

The number of visitors to these 63 temples from January to October last year was approximately 33.4 million. Compared to the visitors during the same period when cultural heritage admission fees were collected?about 13.47 million in January to October 2022 and about 13.71 million in January to October 2019?the number increased by 2.4 to 2.5 times.

Since May 2023, the Jogye Order has been opening major temples under its jurisdiction free of charge. According to the "Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Act (Cultural Heritage Act)," which allows the state or local governments to provide financial support equivalent to the waived admission fees when the owner of nationally designated cultural heritage reduces the admission fees, the government is providing support from the national treasury.

This year, the Cultural Heritage Administration has secured approximately 56.8 billion KRW for the "Cultural Heritage Admission Support" project.