Restoration and Safety Reinforcement Completed After Heavy Rain Damage
Full Renovation of Restrooms at Bulguksa Temple
Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju: "We Will Do Our Best to Create a Tourism Environment Befitting a World Heritage Site"
Gyeongju City has completed environmental improvement projects in the areas of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage tourist sites, ahead of the 2025 APEC Summit.
According to Gyeongju City on October 30, the city restored the stone retaining wall section (30 meters long, 30 meters high) on the entrance road to Seokguram Grotto, which had partially collapsed due to heavy rainfall in July, by carrying out both emergency repairs and permanent reinforcement, thus restoring it as a safe trail.
At that time, the Gyeongju area suffered damage from heavy rainfall, recording a cumulative precipitation of 230mm over five days from July 13 to July 17.
A total project cost of 480 million won (140 million won from the national government, 30 million won from the provincial government, and 310 million won from the city government) was invested in the maintenance of the Seokguram entrance road.
Immediately after the incident, the city installed temporary safety fences and ground measuring devices to prevent further damage, and later, with technical consultation from the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, implemented micropile construction methods and reinforced the stone retaining wall.
Currently, slope stabilization and drainage facility maintenance have also been completed, eliminating concerns about safety accidents.
In addition, Gyeongju City has fully remodeled four outdated restrooms within the Bulguksa Temple grounds (near the Seongbo Museum, near Jahamun Gate, behind Nahanjeon Hall, and underground at the rear annex).
This project, with a total budget of 1 billion won (500 million won from the national government, 250 million won from the provincial government, and 250 million won from the city government), included replacing floor tiles, partitions, electrical and ventilation systems, and refurbishing lighting and ceilings with designs that reflect traditional aesthetics.
The city expects that these improvements will provide a pleasant environment befitting a World Heritage temple when domestic and international leaders and tourists visit.
Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "The APEC Summit is a golden opportunity to showcase Gyeongju's cultural heritage to the world," adding, "We will prepare every detail to make Gyeongju a tourist city that the world wants to visit again."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
