Naju City, nestled in Jeollanam-do and renowned as a historical center of Mahan, is set to unveil its Bokam-ri tomb area as a novel tourism hotspot. The announcement, made by Mayor Byeong-tae Yoon on the 11th, revealed that the Bokam-ri branch area in Naju has secured a spot in the 'Leading project for the maintenance and fostering of historical and cultural environments in historical and cultural areas.' This initiative, contested by the Cultural Heritage Administration last year, is poised to redefine Naju's tourism landscape, projecting to attract a staggering 5 million visitors through the systematic preservation of its rich historical and cultural milieu.
With its selection as a leading project, a substantial investment of 12.1 billion won will be injected into a historical and cultural area maintenance project spanning from this year to 2026. This comprehensive effort includes the integrated maintenance of non-designated ruins and adjacent areas, featuring prominent sites such as Naju Jeongchon Ancient Tombs and Jamae Mountain Fortress.
Aligned with the Special Act on the Maintenance of Historical and Cultural Areas, enacted in 2020 and implemented in 2021, this initiative aims to underscore the historical significance of South Korea's ancient cultural areas and heritage. The focus is on promoting regional development through meticulous and systematic maintenance.
The Cultural Heritage Administration, recognizing nine historical and cultural zones, conducted a nationwide contest for leading projects in February last year. Naju City, home to the country's largest number of Mahan historic sites and relics, identified eight Mahan historical and cultural zones. After careful consideration and expert consultation, the Bokam-ri branch area in Dashi-myeon emerged as the most fitting candidate for the project.
Following screening and field investigations by the Cultural Heritage Administration, four regions, including Naju, were selected as the primary sites for the lead project. The chosen Bokamri Mahan area, situated in Hoejin-ri, Dasishi-myeon, Naju-si, serves as an ancient cultural convergence base, extending from the era of ancient Mahan to Unified Silla. Housing non-designated cultural heritage sites like the Jeongchon Ancient Tombs and Jamae Mountain Fortress, this area boasts a historical and cultural environment seamlessly connecting natural heritage elements such as Dasseydeul and Yeongsangang River.
The leading project for the Bokam-ri branch area encompasses 'integrated maintenance of non-designated ruins and surrounding areas,' 'creation of specialized landscapes around ruins,' and 'establishment of spaces for enjoying history and culture.'
In 2014, Naju City utilized the 'Jeongchon Ancient Tombs,' where perfectly preserved gilt-bronze shoes were excavated, and 'Jamaesanseong Fortress,' dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, as new tourist attractions. The integrated redevelopment plan included trail openings, castle restoration, and access road construction, marking the city's commitment to fostering these historical gems.
Beyond enhancing the scenery of the Bokam-ri tombs, including the creation of green spaces and historical trails connecting the Yeongsan River, tourists will have access to various attractions. These include the Dashideul Mahan Ruins Visitor Center, Mahan History and Culture Exploration Experience Zone, Jeongchon Ancient Tombs Visitor Rest Area, and Jamae Mountain Observatory. The project aims to create a historical and cultural space that offers an enriching experience.
The Naju Bokam-ri Tombs historical and cultural zone initiative project is set to gain momentum, commencing with the formulation of a basic and implementation plan following the review of the historical and cultural zone maintenance implementation plan in March.
Mayor Yoon Byeong-tae expressed, “The selection of the leading project for the historical and cultural area symbolizes Naju as a city that represents and inherits the ancient Mahan historical culture.” He added, “We will promote the leading project without a hitch through active cooperation with residents, including the formation of a resident council.” The mayor emphasized the city's commitment to becoming a successful model for historical and cultural area maintenance projects.
NamDotoday