[2025 Audit] Opaque Management of Traditional Material Stockpiling... Fluctuates from 12% to 979% of Target

"Need for Detailed Analysis of Production and Demand"

National Heritage Restoration Site Yonhap News

There is growing controversy over poor management as the stockpiling project for traditional materials, which are essential for national heritage restoration, has deviated significantly from its original plan. The government-led 'Traditional Materials Stockpiling and Supply Project,' aimed at stabilizing supply and ensuring quality control, has been criticized as being virtually ineffective.

According to data from the National Heritage Administration released on October 16 by Assemblyman Park Suhyeon of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, as of the end of August this year, the actual stockpile of traditional materials reached 979% of the planned amount. In contrast, last year, the actual stockpile was only about 12% of the plan, indicating that annual supply plans have been highly inconsistent.

Last year, the National Heritage Administration set a goal to stockpile 36,174 units of timber, but the actual amount stored was only 4,414 units (12.2%). This year, the plan was to stockpile 13,635 units, but by the end of August, 133,584 units had already been secured-nearly ten times the target. There were also cases where the budget was used to secure stone materials, which were not originally included in the plan.

In accordance with the Act on National Heritage Restoration, the National Heritage Administration conducts annual surveys on the status of traditional materials and establishes supply plans. The stockpiled materials are stored at the National Heritage Restoration Materials Center, which was established this year. In July, the agency supplied 1,200 units of stockpiled timber for the restoration of the Main Hall of Seoul Munmyo Shrine. The National Heritage Administration allocated a total budget of 6.164 billion won for the operation of the National Heritage Restoration Materials Center last year and this year.

Assemblyman Park stated, "The stockpiling of traditional materials, which is essential for preserving our heritage, is being managed in a way that is completely disconnected from the original plan." He emphasized, "It is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis of production and demand and to establish a realistic, long-term management plan."