'50th Anniversary of Opening' Gyeongbu Expressway Daejeon Overpass to Become Cultural Heritage

'Former Mokpo Customs Site and Customs Warehouse' and '6.25 War Military Records' Also Announced for Cultural Heritage Designation

Daejeon Overpass (Upbound and Downbound)

The Daejeon Overpass (both directions) on the Gyeongbu Expressway, which marks its 50th anniversary since opening, will be designated as a cultural heritage site.

On the 4th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the preliminary registration of six cultural properties, including the ‘Daejeon Overpass,’ ‘Sejong Bugang Catholic Church,’ ‘Former Kyungsung Imperial University Attached Herbal Medicine Research Institute Jeju Island Testing Site,’ ‘Former Mokpo Customs Site and Customs Warehouse,’ ‘Korean War Military Records (Army),’ and ‘Letters and Envelopes of Independence Activist Na Seok-ju.’ The Daejeon Overpass is a facility of the Gyeongbu Expressway built in 1969. At the time, it boasted the highest arch bridge in the country. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “It is a building symbolizing modern industrialization” and “it well demonstrates Korea’s civil engineering capabilities during the modern era.”

The appearance of Daejeon overpass (both directions) during construction

The Sejong Bugang Catholic Church, located in Bugang-myeon, Sejong City, collectively refers to the current church building constructed in 1962 and the earlier hanok building used as the main church. It vividly reflects the early Catholic missionary activities in the local community, making it highly valuable from a religious historical perspective.

Sejong Bugang Catholic Church

The Former Kyungsung Imperial University Attached Herbal Medicine Research Institute Jeju Island Testing Site was established to cultivate and produce medicinal herbs. It is noted for architectural features such as the detailed finishing materials expressed on the porch (a part protruding outside the building’s entrance covered by a roof) to enhance the building’s frontal symmetry (emphasizing bilateral symmetry or a self-supporting effect on a specific facade). It is also famous as the workplace of ‘Dr. Nabi’ Seok Ju-myeong (1908?1950), a pioneer in Jeju studies. The Cultural Heritage Administration said, “Documents such as the ‘Layout of Kyungsung Imperial University Attached Herbal Medicine Research Institute’ remain, allowing a thorough understanding of the architectural context at the time.”

Former Kyungsung Imperial University Affiliated Herbal Medicine Research Institute Jeju Island Testing Site

The Former Mokpo Customs Site and Customs Warehouse refer to remnants related to the customs office buildings established in Mokpo during the Korean Empire period when the port was opened. It holds architectural historical significance comparable to port construction facilities in modern port cities.

Old Mokpo Customs Warehouse

The Korean War military records held by the Army Records Information Management Unit are military operation documents created by the Army Headquarters, corps, divisions, and rear units during the war. They include 15 types and 7,521 items such as specifically issued plans, orders, and directives for combat execution, as well as detailed combat reports and operation diaries. Currently, a project is underway to declassify and database these records for public access. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “They reveal in detail how military operations were conducted systematically and orderly even under urgent circumstances.”

Battle Report - Nakdong River Area Battle

The letters and envelopes of independence activist Na Seok-ju, preserved by the National Museum of Korea, are materials related to the plans for his revolutionary actions exchanged with Baekbeom Kim Gu and others. In December 1926, Na Seok-ju attempted to throw bombs at the Oriental Development Company and the Joseon Shikkan Bank. The letters include notifications to Kim Gu about the preparation status of the operation and requests for additional funds. There is also a letter encouraging Lee Seung-chun to join the operation. The Cultural Heritage Administration said, “They concretely reveal Na Seok-ju’s struggle activities and plans to blow up Japanese exploitation institutions,” and “they convey to future generations the spirit of anti-Japanese independence and the active and bold struggles of the members of the Korean Patriotic Corps during the Japanese colonial period.”

Naseokju's Letter

The Cultural Heritage Administration will collect opinions from various sectors for one month and finalize the designation of cultural heritage through the Cultural Heritage Committee’s review.

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