Archaeological Site Excavation Allowance Bill for Jangsu-gun Passes Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee

Assemblyman An Ho-young Proposes 'Permission for Excavation for Academic Research and Maintenance Purposes'

A bill that allows the excavation of buried cultural assets in the Baekdudaegan protected areas, including Jangsu-gun in Jeonbuk Province, to preserve and manage them without loss or damage has passed the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, and Fisheries Committee, the standing committee in charge at the National Assembly.

According to the office of Representative Ahn Ho-young (Jeonbuk Wanju-Jinan-Muju-Jangsu, Democratic Party) on the 2nd, the amendment to the "Act on the Protection of Baekdudaegan" (hereinafter referred to as the Baekdudaegan Act) passed the first gate of the National Assembly, the standing committee, on the 27th of last month. Representative Ahn proposed the amendment to allow the excavation of buried cultural assets in Baekdudaegan protected areas such as Jangsu-gun for academic research and site maintenance purposes.

Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs and Oceans Committee member Ahn Ho-young (Jeonbuk Wanju·Jinan·Muju·Jangsu, Democratic Party). [Photo by Ahn Ho-young's office]

Under the current law, the installation of facilities for cultural asset restoration, repair, relocation, and preservation management is permitted, but excavation activities are restricted, hindering smooth protection and investigation of buried cultural assets.

Within the Baekdudaegan protected areas, including Jangsu-gun, ancient society buried cultural assets such as Gaya culture and relics like mountain fortresses and beacon mounds are preserved. Even when there is a need for excavation surveys for research, site maintenance projects, or preservation and management of cultural assets at risk of loss or damage, there are no legal provisions under the current law, making excavation investigations difficult.

Representative Ahn said, "It has been confirmed that the Gaya culture of the Yeongnam region existed over the rugged Baekdudaegan mountains 1,500 years ago in Jangsu-gun, but there is no legal basis for cultural asset excavation," adding, "The amendment bill should pass the plenary session as soon as possible to systematically preserve and manage the ancient Gaya cultural heritage to prevent loss or damage."

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