Jinju's First State-Designated Scenic Site... Namgang-Chokseongnu Historical and Cultural Landscape Recognized

Passed final review by National Heritage Committee... Jinju's first scenic site designation
Natural cliffs along the Namgang River, Jinju Fortress and Chokseongnu recognized for historical and cultural landscape value
Chokseongnu's upgrade to Treasure status also pursued... More than 71,500 citizens' signatures submitted

Jinju Namgang and Chokseongnu area, one of the leading historical and cultural tourist attractions in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, has been designated a scenic site, a natural heritage site designated by the state.

The city announced that the Jinju Namgang and Chokseongnu area passed the review for scenic site designation at the final review meeting of the National Heritage Committee's Geology, Scenic Sites and Landscape Subcommittee, held on Nov. 4.

Jinju has a total of 43 state-designated cultural heritage items, including 27 Treasures. This is the first time an area in the city has been designated a scenic site.

[Photo courtesy of Jinju City] A view of the Jinju Namgang River and Chokseokru Pavilion area, which has passed the review for designation as a nationally designated scenic site, a natural heritage site. The area was recognized for the value of its historic and cultural landscape, where the natural cliffs along the Namgang River, Jinju Fortress, and Chokseokru Pavilion blend together.

Under Article 12 of the Natural Heritage Preservation and Utilization Act, scenic sites are designated from among natural heritage sites with significant historical, scenic or academic value that require preservation at the national level.

The area covered by this designation is around Jinju Fortress in Bonseong-dong, Jinju. It is a place where the Namgang River and natural cliffs blend with historical and cultural heritage sites, including Jinju Fortress, Chokseongnu Pavilion, Uiam Rock, Uigisa Shrine and the Monument to the Historic Site of Uiam.

During its review, the National Heritage Administration cited the area's unique location, which makes use of the Namgang River and natural cliffs, and the continuity of its historical and cultural landscape extending from Jinju Fortress to Chokseongnu Pavilion and Uiam Rock as key elements of its value.

It also recognized the area's historical symbolism, embodying the Battle of Jinju Fortress during the Japanese invasions of Korea and Nongae's spirit of sacrifice; the continuity of its landscape, maintained over a long period; and its value as a cultural landscape depicted in works of art, including literature and paintings.

The designation is significant because it recognizes the preservation value of the entire landscape, where the natural environment of the Namgang River combines with the walls of Jinju Fortress and historical and cultural heritage sites such as Chokseongnu Pavilion and Uiam Rock, rather than focusing solely on individual buildings.

Chokseongnu Pavilion is believed to have been built in 1241 by Kim Jidae, the magistrate of Jinju, during the reign of King Gojong of Goryeo. It is located south of Jinju Fortress.

It was used as a military command facility during wartime and as a place for banquets and leisure in peacetime. Along with Yeongnamnu Pavilion in Miryang and Bubyeokru Pavilion in Pyongyang, it is regarded as one of Korea's representative traditional pavilions.

Chokseongnu Pavilion was designated a National Treasure in 1948, but the designation was revoked after the pavilion was destroyed during the Korean War. A restoration project was later carried out with state and local government funds, as well as donations from citizens, and the pavilion was restored to its present form in 1960.

It was designated a Gyeongsangnam-do Cultural Heritage Material in 1983 and upgraded to a Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. Separately from the scenic site designation, Jinju City is also pursuing its designation as a state-designated Treasure.

In August, the city gathered signatures from around 71,500 citizens urging that Chokseongnu Pavilion be designated a Treasure. Last month, it submitted a formal request for the designation to the National Heritage Administration.

The city says that the restoration of Chokseongnu Pavilion was approved by the state and carried out under expert design and supervision, and that related approval documents and blueprints remain available. It is presenting these as supporting evidence for the Treasure designation. However, whether Chokseongnu Pavilion will be designated a Treasure will be decided after the National Heritage Administration conducts the relevant investigation and review.

Jinju Mayor Cho Gyuil said, "The Jinju Namgang and Chokseongnu area is a representative heritage site that brings together the natural scenery of the Namgang River, the history of Jinju Fortress, and the citizens' spirit of patriotism and fidelity. We will systematically preserve the value of this historical and cultural landscape and manage it as national heritage that people in Korea and around the world can enjoy."

He added, "This designation was made possible by the dedication of the citizens who have protected the heritage site. I thank the citizens who have endured various regulations, including height restrictions, for many years since Jinju Fortress was designated a historic site."

Following the scenic site designation, Jinju City plans to establish a systematic preservation and management plan and expand historical and cultural tourism content linking the Namgang River and Jinju Fortress.

The city also plans to improve visitor facilities without damaging the historic landscape and strengthen history education and cultural heritage interpretation programs for citizens and tourists.

The designation has established a basis for national-level preservation and management of the historical and cultural landscape around Jinju Fortress. How to make use of the area as a tourism resource and manage the landscape in surrounding areas is also expected to be a key challenge going forward.

Attention is focused on whether Jinju's first scenic site designation will lead to balanced progress in preserving its historical and cultural landscape and promoting tourism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.