Cultural Heritage Administration to Cover Expenses for Artifact Preservation During Construction Projects

Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

The National Assembly passed a revised bill on Thursday, indicating a significant change in the management of buried cultural properties found during construction projects. Starting next year, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) will assume the financial responsibility for preserving such artifacts. 

▲ Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration
Under previous conditions, the CHA managed buried cultural properties primarily when construction projects had to be halted due to the discovery of important cultural heritage pieces. In those instances, the government and local authorities would acquire the land where the artifacts were excavated. However, when construction companies could proceed by relocating or preserving the artifacts, they were required to cover the associated costs.

The revised law, approved on Thursday, shifts the financial burden from construction companies to the government. The government will now fund the relocation and preservation costs, encompassing activities like setting up signboards, soil movement, and tree planting for artifact protection.

Six months from now, once the revised bill takes effect, the CHA will designate a supported project and initiate budgeting. The move aims to enhance preservation efforts, with the CHA announcing forthcoming details about benefits for builders.

In conjunction with this change, the National Assembly also passed a separate bill on Thursday, intending to reduce the 100-day review process that builders undergo before starting construction to prevent inadvertent damage to cultural artifacts. Starting next year, builders will experience a reduction of up to 40 days in this review process, as outlined in the new law.

Sayart

Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com