'Personnel Regulation' Easing for National Heritage Restoration Industry

National Heritage Administration to Enforce Revised Decree from January 20
Workforce Replenishment Period Extended from One Month to Two Months

The regulation requiring small-scale national heritage restoration companies to promptly hire technical personnel, which has been a major obstacle for the industry, will be significantly eased. Companies that previously had to close due to being unable to secure specialized personnel in time are now expected to catch a break.

The National Heritage Administration announced on January 14 that it will implement a revised enforcement decree of the National Heritage Restoration Act starting January 20, extending the deadline for national heritage restoration companies to replenish their technical workforce from the current one month to two months.

This measure reflects the harsh realities on the ground. The national heritage restoration market is smaller than other construction sectors, and there are severe regional disparities in the availability of technicians and skilled workers, resulting in chronic workforce imbalances. Nevertheless, the previous law mandated that any vacancies be filled within 30 days.

The industry has criticized this as an excessively harsh regulation, noting that the replenishment period for construction and information and communications businesses is 50 days. In reality, the short replenishment period has threatened the survival of many companies. According to an analysis by the National Heritage Administration, about 76% (103 cases) of the 136 business suspension orders issued by local governments over the past five years were due to failure to meet registration requirements such as technical personnel or capital.

A representative from the National Heritage Administration emphasized, "With this rationalization of regulations, restoration companies will be able to establish a more stable operational foundation," adding, "Improved management conditions will directly lead to enhanced quality in national heritage restoration."