Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Preservation and Utilization to Become Future-Oriented

Enactment of the Act on Preservation and Utilization of Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage

A foundation has been established for the systematic and future-oriented preservation and utilization of modern and contemporary cultural heritage. On the 14th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the promulgation of the "Act on the Preservation and Utilization of Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage." Modern and contemporary cultural heritage refers to immovable and movable heritage formed from around the opening of ports to the present, recognized for their preservation value. Since 2001, the Cultural Heritage Administration has managed 956 cases, including the former Seoul Metropolitan City Hall and the Busan Temporary Capital Government Building, through the introduction of the National Registered Cultural Heritage system.

The Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Act departs from the "Cultural Heritage Protection Act" system, which focuses on strict regulation of the surroundings to maintain the original form. Instead, it emphasizes owners voluntarily pursuing flexible and sustainable preservation and utilization. The core values of registered cultural heritage have been explicitly expanded beyond the main exterior to include architectural and structural elements (essential preservation elements). Additionally, a registration procedure for "Temporary National Registered Cultural Heritage" has been established in case urgent preventive measures are needed. Areas requiring joint preservation and utilization of registered cultural heritage and their surroundings are designated as "Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Districts," and modern and contemporary cultural heritage likely to become registered cultural heritage within 50 years is selected as "Preliminary Cultural Heritage" for protection.

This law will take effect one year after its enactment. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to prepare subordinate legislation and promote policies for effective preservation and utilization.

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