Iksan City Launches Full-Scale Reproduction of Baekje's 'Geummajeo Royal Palace'

Creating Historical and Cultural Spaces... Total Budget of 40.8 Billion Won Invested

The Baekje Geummajeo Royal Palace located in Iksan City, Jeonbuk, will be fully recreated. Iksan City announced on the 28th that it is promoting the 'Baekje Royal Palace Geummajeo Historical and Cultural Space Creation Project' in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Administration to revitalize the regional economy and expand the value as a UNESCO World Heritage historic capital.

According to the city, this project is a royal palace restoration project to create a complex historical and cultural space that allows people to enjoy the value of Baekje culture. The national budget will be fully reflected next year, with a total budget of 40.8 billion won to be invested by 2028.

Baekje Royal Palace Geummajeo Historical and Cultural Space Development Project.
[Photo by Iksan City]

Geummajeo was the old name for Iksan during the Baekje period. Iksan, one of Korea's four major historic capitals, holds the only Baekje royal palace ruins in the country. The Baekje Historic Areas have been recognized for their value and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The core of this restoration is the royal palace ruins that still have physical remains. Major buildings such as the royal palace main hall, palace landscaping (gardens and rear gardens), sleeping quarters, gold and glass workshops, restrooms, and kitchens will be recreated in their original form. The restoration will use the Baekje period palace layout methods and architectural and landscaping techniques.

The historical and cultural space plans to offer diverse historical and cultural programs including performances, exhibitions, food, and cultural experiences. By providing various attractions and responding to the increasing demand for traditional Korean culture, which is the source of the Korean Wave, it aims to promote the influx of domestic and international visitors.

Synergistic effects with key heritage sites in the Iksan area are also expected. The linked heritage sites include Mireuksaji, Jeseoksa Temple Site, Ssangneung, Iksan Earthen Fortress, Geummado Earthen Fortress, Mireuksan Fortress, and Yeondong-ri Stone Buddha Statue.

Jung Heon-yul, mayor of Iksan, said, "Thanks to the active cooperation of local politicians including members of the National Assembly, we were able to secure national funding for the creation of the Baekje Royal Palace Geummajeo Historical and Cultural Space. Along with the World Heritage Exploration Hub Center, it will serve as a base for key heritage sites of the Baekje royal capital and take the lead in revitalizing tourism in the Baekje cultural area."

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