Boseong-gun, Obongsan Umachagil and Maaebulsang Designated as National Forest Cultural Assets

Boseong-gun Kalbawi Rock-carved Buddha Statue (Photo by Boseong-gun)

[Boseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim Cheol-woo) announced on the 21st that ▶Obongsan Guduljang Umachagil and ▶Obongsan Kalbawi Maaebulsang have been designated as National Forest Cultural Assets.

Since 2014, the Korea Forest Service has been discovering and managing targets of high cultural value related to forests, such as trees and natural objects, under the designation of 'National Forest Cultural Assets.'

This year, 10 new sites were added, bringing the total to 80 sites under management.

▶Boseong Obongsan Guduljang Umachagil is well preserved to the extent that the 갈지-shaped (之-shaped) umachagil (ox cart road), which was used to extract and transport the guduljang (floor stones) that formed the basis of ondol culture, can be visually confirmed.

From the late 1930s to the early 1980s, the guduljang industry was active for over 40 years, accounting for 70% of the national production with its excellent stone quality.

Boseong-gun is promoting the registration of the Obongsan guduljang site as a national cultural heritage, fitting its reputation as the world's largest existing guduljang extraction site.

▶The Obongsan Kalbawi Maaebulsang in Boseong is said to have been carved by the monk Wonhyo according to legend.

In particular, the Maaebulsang is carved inside the curved part of Kalbawi rock, at a height of 30 meters, and it is said that it can only be seen by virtuous people.

The Kalbawi rock, where the Maaebulsang is carved, is also called Geomambong (劍岩峰) and is one of the five peaks of Obongsan.

From Kalbawi, there is a view extending to Mudeungsan, and the site of a hermitage where Buddhist prayers were offered remains between large rock crevices.

Boseong-gun has continuously maintained hiking trails that pass through Kalbawi (Maaebulsang) to allow visitors to tour the entire Obongsan. From May to September, forest workers were deployed to survey and excavate routes, remove underbrush and kudzu vines, and build stone walls in areas at risk of falling, opening the guduljang extraction site and umachagil as experiential courses.

An official from the county stated, “We plan to install nature-friendly guidance facilities and maintain experiential trails that balance visitor safety and preservation through continuous and organic consultations with the Korea Forest Service Western Regional Forest Service Office (Suncheon National Forest Management Office).”

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