Expansion of Cultural Heritage Protection Zones in Yeongju

The city of Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province has announced plans to expand the cultural heritage protection zones for the historic Suneung Mural Tomb and the Gyeongseongdaegun Shrine. The Suneung Mural Tomb, estimated to date back to either 479 or 539 AD during the Three Kingdoms period, covers an area of 180,504 square meters. This burial site, influenced by Goguryeo mural tombs, features colorful paintings on all walls except the ceiling, depicting figures such as a warrior, a man holding a snake, and a strong individual, along with lotus flowers and cloud patterns.

The Gyeongseongdaegun Shrine, which spans approximately 2,654 square meters, commemorates the spirit of Gyeongseongdaegun Lee Yu, who was executed in Suneung after being caught in a plot to restore King Danjong during the Joseon Dynasty. Following his posthumous rehabilitation during the reign of King Yeongjo, a shrine was established at his place of exile.

Previously, only the core sites of these cultural heritages were designated as protection zones, leading to concerns that some relics were excluded from protection and that there was no buffer zone for heritage conservation. The city plans to expand the cultural heritage zone for the Suneung Mural Tomb to 510,262 square meters and the Gyeongseongdaegun Shrine to approximately 29,388 square meters. For privately owned land designated as protection zones, the city intends to acquire it through negotiations and compensation with landowners.

This initiative is based on feedback collected from citizens by the Yeongju Cultural Arts Department and the Historic Heritage Policy Division of the Cultural Heritage Administration, with final approval expected in August. A city official stated that designating these areas as protection zones would not only safeguard national heritage but also allow for government support for acquisition and project costs, potentially increasing local tax revenue as well.