Renaming 'Ulju Cheonjeon-ri Gakseok' and Challenging for World Heritage Status

Scheduled to Change to 'Ulju Cheonjeon-ri Myeongmun and Petroglyphs'
Reflecting Academic Opinions... Added Importance of Petroglyphs
'Hongcheon Sutasa Daejeokgwangjeon' Announced as Treasure Designation

The name of 'Ulju Cheonjeon-ri Gakseok' will be changed to 'Ulju Cheonjeon-ri Inscription (銘文) and Petroglyphs.' On the 29th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced plans to rename this national heritage site, which was designated as a national treasure in 1973. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for one month, and the Cultural Heritage Committee will review and finalize whether to proceed with the change.

Cheonjeon-ri Gakseok is a rock that offers insights into the life and beliefs from the prehistoric era to the Silla period. In December 1970, an academic survey team from Dongguk University Museum discovered it on the midstream bank of Daegokcheon, a tributary of the Taehwa River. The rock surface, measuring 9.5 meters wide and 2.7 meters high, is engraved with geometric patterns as well as images of deer, anthropomorphic-animal hybrids (half-human, half-beast figures), boats, and mounted processions. There are also inscriptions commemorating visits by the king and queen. It is estimated that the engravings were made twice during the reign of King Beopheung of Silla.

At the time of its designation as a national treasure, the inscriptions from the Silla period, whose production period and content were clear, were valued more highly for their academic significance than the petroglyphs depicting geometric patterns. This is why the name 'Gakseok' (inscribed stone) was given. However, the academic community has argued that attention should also be paid to the diverse aspects visible from the prehistoric era through the Silla period. Accordingly, the Cultural Heritage Administration decided to assign a new name that reflects the importance of both the inscriptions and the petroglyphs. An official explained, "Investigations and research related to the petroglyphs have been conducted, and the importance of prehistoric drawings has been newly recognized, so we decided to reflect these opinions."

The Cultural Heritage Administration will complete the name change and accelerate efforts to register the site as a UNESCO World Heritage. In July, the Cultural Heritage Committee selected 'Petroglyphs of Bangudaecheon,' which includes Cheonjeon-ri Gakseok and Daegok-ri Bangudae Petroglyphs, as a candidate for World Heritage registration. The final application is scheduled to be submitted next month. The decision on registration is expected in 2025.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the preliminary designation of 'Hongcheon Sutasa Daejeokgwangjeon (大寂光殿)' in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province, as a treasure. Daejeokgwangjeon is a Buddhist hall enshrining Vairocana Buddha, the principal Buddha who radiates great light and guides sentient beings. The building, with three bays in the front and three bays on the side, preserves the architectural style of the late Joseon Dynasty. Historical and academic value is high because records detailing repairs and restorations are clear. An official added, "Although the scale is not large, the proportions between the components are well balanced, giving it high artistic value."

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