Yeosu Geomundo Reborn as a 'Modern Historical and Cultural Space'

A part of ‘Geomun Village’ on Geomundo Island, representing the Republic of Korea, was announced on the 11th to be registered as a national registered cultural heritage site under the category of ‘Modern Historical and Cultural Space.’

The newly announced ‘Yeosu Geomundo Modern Historical and Cultural Space’ covers Samsan-myeon Geomun-ri 35 and 104 other parcels (26,610㎡), symbolizing the marine urban modern life history of the Yeosu area, including the Geomundo Incident.

[Photo by Yeosu City]

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Additionally, the inner harbor of Geomundo where the British military stayed, modern and contemporary commercial houses, the large spring developed by the British military, and the old Samsan-myeon Assembly Hall that tells the history of the modern assembly are all preserved in their original village layout to this day, making it highly valuable historically, culturally, socially, and architecturally.

In particular, the ‘Yeosu Geomundo Undersea Communication Facility,’ a communication cable connecting Geomundo to Shanghai, China during the Geomundo Incident, and the ‘Yeosu Geomundo Old Samsan-myeon Assembly Hall,’ completed in 1959 and currently preserving records related to the Samsan-myeon Assembly, are expected to be separately registered as cultural heritage representing early local autonomy.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to finalize the registration as a national registered cultural heritage after a 30-day announcement period and a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee in May.

Previously, Yeosu City was the only nationwide winner in the 2022 Cultural Heritage Administration’s Modern Historical and Cultural Space Revitalization Contest, laying the groundwork for cultural heritage registration. After the final registration, the city plans to actively promote revitalization projects for the modern historical and cultural space, including cultural heritage restoration and maintenance, and the creation of education, exhibition, and experience spaces.

Jeong Gi-myeong, Mayor of Yeosu, stated, “Since the Geomun-ri area has been recognized externally for its value as a modern cultural heritage, we will develop it into a landmark where history, culture, and tourism coexist, establishing it as a specialized space that can coexist with local residents.” He added, “It is expected to play a significant role in the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo as a place that can showcase the unique characteristics of island culture linked to the Expo.”

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