Detailed Recovery Investigation Completed for Three State-Designated Heritage Sites Damaged by Wildfire in Gyeongbuk, Including Yeonsujeon Hall of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong
- A total of 624 structural members recovered from Yeonsujeon Hall and Gaunru of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong, and Sanam House, Cheongsong ... restoration plans being drawn up with KRW 2.7 billion in emergency repair funds
The Korea Heritage Service (Administrator: Huh Min; hereafter the KHS) recently completed a damage assessment and detailed recovery investigation of three State-designated heritage sites (two Treasures and one National Folk Cultural Heritage) that were completely destroyed in the wildfire that occurred in the Gyeongbuk region this past March.
* Detailed recovery investigation of three burnt-down State-designated cultural heritage sites
- [Treasures] Yeonsujeon Hall and Gaunru of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong: June 9-20, 2025 (12 days)
- [National Folk Cultural Heritage] Sanam House, Cheongsong: May 6-9, 2025 (4 days)
Following the detailed recovery investigation, a total of 283 components from the Yeonsujeon Hall of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong (2 wooden members, 206 metal parts, and 75 roof tiles), and 269 components from the Gaunru of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong (113 wooden members, 151 metal parts, and 5 roof tiles) were handed over to Uiseong-gun and Gounsa Temple. In addition, 72 components from the Sanam House, Cheongsong (13 wooden members, 43 metal parts, 14 roof tiles, and 2 miscellaneous items) were transferred to Cheongsong-gun. The recovered components will be utilized in future exhibitions and educational programs to raise public awareness of the dangers of wildfires.
This investigation was carried out through a close collaboration among the KHS, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH), Gyeongsangbuk-do, Cheongsong-gun, and Uiseong-gun, covering everything from preliminary studies to on-site recovery efforts. After handing over the recovered components and findings to Cheongsong-gun, Uiseong-gun, and Gounsa Temple, the NRICH(Director General Lim Jong-Deock), under the KHS, also conducted on-site training sessions for related organizations to support effective recoveries and investigations of other cultural heritages designated by municipal and provincial governments that were damaged by the wildfire.
Meanwhile, the KHS has provided KRW 2.7 billion in emergency restoration funds to the relevant local governments for debris removal and heritage restoration following the wildfire damage. The funds will be used with priority given to implementing secondary damage prevention projects, as well as for the design of restoration work for the wildfire-affected sites, including the Yeonsujeon Hall of Gounsa Temple, Uiseong.
Furthermore, for the three State-designated cultural heritage sites that were completely destroyed by the recent wildfire, the Cultural Heritage Committee will review the possibility of revoking their designation following expert-led on-site inspections and consultations.
The KHS will gather opinions from property owners, local governments, and relevant experts regarding the national heritage sites damaged by the wildfire, and will establish detailed restoration plans based on sufficient consultations and a thorough review of the verification procedures. Taking into account the significance and urgency of each case, the KHS will provide phased support to ensure the fullest possible restoration of the original value of the affected sites.
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