[2022 National Audit] "Government Must Mediate the Bangudae Petroglyph Conflict..."

Daegu-Gumi Water Issue Conflict Leads to Preservation Crisis
"Saddened by the Reality of Agreement Termination Due to Political Conflict"

Panoramic View of Bangudae Petroglyphs
Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration

The preservation of the Bangudae Petroglyphs is facing a crisis due to water-related conflicts between Daegu and Gumi.

Lee Sang-heon, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out on the 11th during the Cultural Heritage Administration's audit that the government is passively watching the conflict between the two local governments. In June last year, the 'Nakdong River Integrated Water Management Plan,' which included measures to preserve the Bangudae Petroglyphs, was approved, and in April, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Environment, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Gumi, and the Korea Water Resources Corporation signed the 'Agreement on Sharing Clean Water and Co-prosperity.' However, in August, Daegu notified the other institutions of the termination of the agreement, citing Gumi's responsibility.

The Bangudae Petroglyphs have been repeatedly submerged and exposed for over 50 years depending on the water level since the construction of the Sayeon Dam downstream of Daegokcheon. The petroglyphs can only be fully confirmed when the water level is below 48 meters.

Lee disclosed the positions of each institution regarding the 'Agreement on Sharing Clean Water and Co-prosperity.' According to this, Ulsan and Gumi demanded a leading and proactive role from the government at the national level. On the other hand, Daegu only mentioned Gumi's responsibility and avoided an official stance. Gyeongbuk stated it would reflect the opinions of its residents, and the Korea Water Resources Corporation stepped back, saying the matter should be decided after sufficient discussions among institutions. The Office for Government Policy Coordination responded that it plans to proceed as decided at the National Policy Coordination Meeting in October last year.

Whale depiction in the Bangudae Petroglyphs, Ulsan (Photo by Doosan Encyclopedia)

Lee said, "It seems that each party is eager to shift responsibility," and criticized, "Especially the Office for Government Policy Coordination, which should mediate between institutions, only gave a formal response." He added, "It is sad that the efforts made to preserve the Bangudae Petroglyphs have been overturned like turning a hand due to political conflicts," and emphasized, "Since Daegu's termination of the agreement is currently in the reflection period, the government should take the lead in mediation."

Discovered in 1971, the Bangudae Petroglyphs are drawings carved on a rock 10 meters wide and 4 meters high, depicting prehistoric people hunting and fishing various animals such as whales, turtles, and deer. As an important artifact that reveals the lifestyle of prehistoric times, efforts are underway to register it as a World Heritage site and develop it as a tourist resource simultaneously.

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