Cultural Heritage Administration and National Credit Union Federation to Create Additional 1 Billion Won Dokdo Protection Fund

Second Launch of "National Heritage Eobuba Installment Savings"
Improvements Planned for Dokdo Volunteer Garrison Base and More

Through the collaboration between the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Credit Union Federation of Korea, additional protection infrastructure will be established for the Dokdo Natural Reserve, a designated Natural Monument.

The Cultural Heritage Administration held a donation ceremony for sponsorship items to improve the viewing environment of Changdeokgung Palace, a World Heritage site, at the Changdeokgung Palace Visitor Support Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on September 5 last year, together with Riot Games Korea and the National Credit Union Federation of Korea. From the left: Jaejun Lee, then Executive Director of the Cultural Heritage National Trust; Jisoo Lee, Head of Riot Games; Kyuhui Park, Division Head of the National Credit Union Federation; Myungseon Lee, then Director of Changdeokgung Palace Management Office; Jaeril Kim, Head of Education Utilization Division at the Cultural Heritage Administration.
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

On the afternoon of September 2, the Cultural Heritage Administration will hold the "National Heritage Protection Eobuba Sponsorship Agreement Ceremony" with the National Credit Union Federation at Junghwajeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul, to agree on additional sponsorship for the creation of a Dokdo Protection Fund. Last year, the two parties launched the "National Heritage Eobuba Installment Savings" product, achieving sales of 100 billion won and donating 1% of the sales, or 1 billion won, to the National Heritage Protection Fund. Separately, they provided 150 million won to improve intangible heritage transmission spaces and enhance visitor services at Changdeokgung Palace.

This agreement is made to share past achievements and continue their sponsorship. A portion of the second round of sales from the National Heritage Eobuba Installment Savings (about 1 billion won) will again be allocated to the fund. The Cultural Heritage National Trust will manage this fund and use it to improve the historical and cultural spaces and preserve the ecosystem of the Dokdo Natural Reserve. The improvement plan includes Seodo Mulgol, the initial base of the Dokdo Volunteer Garrison during the Korean War, and the connecting pathways.

Since signing the "National Heritage Keeper Agreement" with the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2020, the National Credit Union Federation of Korea has continued to support various initiatives, such as installing unmanned ticketing machines at Changdeokgung Palace and replacing traditional paper windows at royal tombs. An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This is a model case of private sector social contribution to national heritage," and added, "We will strengthen the foundation for the protection and transmission of national heritage through sustainable cooperation."