“Later Baekje Should Be Included in the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act”

Hosting of the National Assembly Forum on Later Baekje for Designation of Historical and Cultural Areas

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho] The "National Assembly Forum for the Designation of the Later Baekje Historical and Cultural Zone," aimed at redefining the historical status of Later Baekje and laying the foundation for the organization of cultural zones, was held on the 18th.

The forum was hosted by Kim Seong-ju, member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the Jeonbuk Provincial Party Committee (Jeonju-si Byeong), Ahn Ho-young (Wanju, Muju, Jinan, Jangsu), Kim Jong-min (Nonsan), and Lim Eui-ja (Sangju, Mungyeong), and organized by the Later Baekje Society (President Song Hwa-seop). Attendees included Song Ha-jin, chairman of the National Governors Association, and six local government heads including Kim Seung-su, mayor of Jeonju and member of the Later Baekje Cultural Zone Local Government Council.

This forum was prepared to confirm the historical status of Later Baekje, a country that marked the end of ancient history over 1,100 years ago and flourished with brilliant culture at its peak, and to explore ways to designate the Later Baekje historical and cultural zone to include it in the "Special Act on the Maintenance of Historical and Cultural Zones" (hereinafter referred to as the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act).

Later Baekje established its capital in Jeonju in 900, formed a state system including diplomatic relations with the Chinese kingdom of Wuyue, and developed a unique identity. However, it has been perceived as a transitional state between Silla and Goryeo, and thus has not been included in the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act.

At the forum, Professor Lee Do-hak of the Korean Traditional Culture University presented on the significance of Later Baekje history in Korean ancient history; Jeong Sang-gi, curator at the National Jeonju Museum, discussed the scope of the Later Baekje cultural zone based on archaeological and art historical materials; and Jin Jeong-hwan, curator at the National Iksan Museum, spoke on the establishment and promotion direction of the Later Baekje cultural zone.

Professor Lee Do-hak, the first presenter, emphasized the importance and historical significance of the Later Baekje, the most powerful state among the Later Three Kingdoms period, which has been overlooked in Korean ancient history under the theme "The Meaning of Later Baekje History in Korean Ancient History."

Curator Jeong Sang-gi presented research results on the political and cultural scope and territorial domain of Later Baekje revealed through archaeological and art historical studies to date.

Curator Jin Jeong-hwan confirmed the necessity and validity of designating the "Later Baekje Historical and Cultural Zone" based on previous research results and proposed mutual linkage plans for the integration of regional research and utilization projects.

Following the presentations, a discussion was held chaired by Song Hwa-seop, president of the Later Baekje Society, with participants including Lee Jae-pil, director of the Cultural Heritage Administration's Ancient City Preservation Policy Division; Professor Kwak Jang-geun of Kunsan University; Eom Won-sik, head of the Culture and Arts Division at Mungyeong City Hall; and Chae Mi-ok, director of the research group Future World. They discussed that there are sufficient conditions for adding the Later Baekje historical and cultural zone to the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act.

Song Ha-jin, chairman of the National Governors Association, said, "Although Later Baekje had a short history, it was a state with a clear governing ideology, active external relations, and high cultural capabilities," and added, "For the establishment of Korea's ancient history and balanced historical and cultural development among regions, the Later Baekje historical and cultural zone must be included in the Historical and Cultural Zone Maintenance Act."

Kim Seung-su, mayor of Jeonju and chairman of the Later Baekje Cultural Zone Local Government Council, stated, "Through this National Assembly forum, we have united with local members of the National Assembly to promptly promote the revision of the special law," and added, "Our city and the Later Baekje Cultural Zone Local Government Council will pool wisdom and capabilities to ensure the special law amendment passes the National Assembly."

In the lobby of the National Assembly Members' Office Building where the forum was held, a photo exhibition was held to promote the Later Baekje historical and cultural zone relics and artifacts, focusing on major cultural heritage owned by the seven cities and counties belonging to the Later Baekje Cultural Zone Local Government Council.

Meanwhile, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, only a minimum number of people attended the forum, and the event was broadcast live on YouTube ("Later Baekje Society").

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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