Signature Campaign for Upgrading Jinju Fortress Chokseoknu to National Cultural Heritage

Starting at Jinju Battle Historical Park
Gradually Expanding to a Citywide Signature Campaign

The Jinju Cultural Center in Gyeongnam has launched a signature campaign demanding that Chokseoknu at Jinju Fortress be elevated to a nationally designated cultural heritage (Treasure).

The Jinju Cultural Center announced on the 18th that in order to have Chokseoknu, renowned as one of Korea's three major pavilions, designated as a nationally designated cultural heritage, it will begin a citywide signature campaign starting at the Jinju Battle Historical Park and gradually expand it.

Photo of Jinju Fortress Gongbukmun Gate.

Moon Hyungjun, acting director of the Jinju Cultural Center, asserted, "Chokseoknu at Jinju Fortress was elevated from cultural heritage material to Gyeongnam Provincial Tangible Cultural Heritage in 2020, but this does not reflect the full significance and symbolism of Chokseoknu. Therefore, it should be elevated to a nationally designated cultural heritage (Treasure)."

Through the petition for the signature campaign, the Jinju Cultural Center emphasized, "Chokseoknu was restored to its pre-Korean War appearance under the strict supervision of relevant government agencies. It is a cultural heritage restored with government support and donations from Jinju citizens, marking the largest heritage restoration project since the establishment of the government in 1948. In particular, the sincerity of Jinju citizens, who endured the Jinju Fortress purification project that began in the 1970s and lasted over 40 years, and who continue to take pride in Jinju Fortress and Chokseoknu despite the conflicts between development and preservation, holds immeasurable value. In this way, Chokseoknu is not merely a famous pavilion but a cultural heritage with over a thousand years of historical value, the most referenced in literature, enduring authenticity, and significant material value in the history of traditional Korean architecture."

They added, "The National Heritage Administration should not overlook the efforts and aspirations of Jinju and Gyeongnam residents, who gave their all to restore Chokseoknu at Jinju Fortress?sacred ground for national defense?even amid the ashes after the Korean War. We hope that, considering the historical context of its reconstruction and the evolving standards of cultural heritage value, the significance of Chokseoknu as a cultural heritage will be properly recognized."

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