Naju City to Remove Obstacles for Detailed Excavation
Historical Restoration... Enhancing the Status as a Historical and Cultural City
Naju City in South Jeolla Province is set to launch a full-scale maintenance project for the restoration of the Naju-mok Government Office Dongheon.
On June 4, Naju City announced its plan to secure key foundational data by October for the restoration of the Naju-mok Government Office Dongheon, which served as the center of local administration during the Joseon Dynasty.
The city will conduct the removal of obstacles and a detailed archaeological excavation in the Geumgye-dong area (31-1 Geumgye-dong).
This maintenance project serves as a preliminary step to identify the location and structure of the Dongheon, which was the central government office of Naju-mok in the past. The project will involve demolishing the old Geumnam-dong complex office building and temporary parking lot, alongside a comprehensive archaeological investigation.
Although historical documents such as Geumseong Eupji and Sok Su Najuji suggest that the Dongheon was located in the Geumgye-dong area, the terrain has been significantly altered due to the establishment of markets, buildings, and underground structures during the modern and contemporary periods. As a result, it has been difficult to pinpoint the exact location and boundaries of the Dongheon.
This investigation is expected to become a critical turning point, overcoming previous limitations and providing decisive evidence for the restoration of the Dongheon.
In fact, since 2019, the city has conducted three detailed archaeological excavations in the area, confirming the remains of various structures such as building sites, foundations, ponds, walkways, and walls.
This project is a continuation of the Naju-mok Government Office Restoration Project, which has been ongoing since the demolition of the Geumgye Daily Market in 2012. To date, the city has sequentially restored Geumseonggwan (2002), Seuikheon (2005), Dongikheon (2007), the pond (2018), and Hyangcheong (2023).
Among these, Geumseonggwan, which served as a guesthouse for central government officials and foreign envoys during the Joseon Dynasty, is currently undergoing a dismantling and repair project.
The Dongheon, together with other major facilities, represents the core space of the Naju-mok Government Office. Its restoration will complete the historical composite structure of the site.
Naju City views this project not merely as the maintenance of a historical site, but as an opportunity to revive the splendid history and identity of Naju’s local governance. The city aims to expand the site into a historical and cultural platform that can be enjoyed by both citizens and tourists.
In particular, the voluntary cooperation and interest of local residents in the excavation and restoration process is being recognized as a meaningful example of confirming the community’s pride and sense of participation in Naju’s unique historical and cultural heritage.
Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju, stated, "The archaeological data obtained through detailed excavations will serve as the key to completing the final puzzle of the Naju-mok Government Office restoration project. We will pursue the project in a way that harmonizes heritage preservation and urban maintenance, aiming to establish Naju as a hub city for historical and cultural tourism."
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