[2022 National Audit] National Treasures and Treasured Wooden Cultural Assets Also Suffering from Termites

Among Sixty-Five Cases Last Year, Twenty-One Were Biological Damage
Not Free from Fire Risk Either, "Measures Needed"

Wooden cultural properties designated as National Treasures and Treasures are suffering from termite damage.

According to data from the Cultural Heritage Administration disclosed on the 11th by Lee Gae-ho, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Democratic Party), biological damage to wooden cultural properties, which had decreased from 2016 to 2019, reversed to an increasing trend in 2020. In particular, termite damage has significantly increased.

Among the sixty-five cases surveyed last year, twenty-one cases (32%) involved biological damage. Since most measures are reactive pest control, comprehensive countermeasures are required.

At the Cultural Heritage Administration's audit on the same day, Representative Lee said, "A regular and systematic full-scale survey is needed in advance, not just reactive treatment," and added, "More scientific measures must be prepared to prevent recurrence."

Wooden cultural properties are not free from fire risks either. Among twenty-five National Treasures, only nineteen have fire prevention facilities, and among 213 Treasures, only 184 sites are equipped. The type of facilities is mostly limited to some fire hoses. Only 60% of National Treasures and 37% of Treasures have installed water guns.

Representative Lee stated, "Despite the installation of fire prevention facilities, twenty-one cases of fire damage to wooden cultural properties have occurred since 2010, including three cases last year alone," emphasizing, "More thorough countermeasures are necessary."

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