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Ecology dikes should be created to prevent further damage of Ulsan Bangudae petroglyph

Ecology dikes should be created to prevent further damage of Ulsan Bangudae petroglyph

Posted July. 27, 2016 06:53,   

Updated July. 27, 2016 07:06

한국어

The Kinetic Dam project, a variable temporary coffer dam that the Korean government had promoted for three years investing 2.8 billion won (246 million dollars) has ended with failure, placing the Ulsan Bangudae petroglyph preservation plan at a zero base. The coffer dam plan was made two months after President Park Geun-hye at a presidential secretary meeting in April 2013 urged the government to come up with a measure saying she was heartbroken to see the situation. The plan was a desperate attempt to preserve the petroglyph after 10 years of conflicts between the Cultural Heritage Administration and Ulsan City over preservation and drinking water issues. The result was waste of money and time. Cultural Heritage Administration head Byun Young-seop and the government that pushed forward the plan without close verification should be held into account.

The petroglyph, designated as National Treasure 285, stays under water for eight months a year. There were proposals to lower the dam level from 60 meters to 52 meters, but Ulsan opposes to it saying that would leave the city short of 30,000 tons of drinking water per day. Some others suggested making a tunnel above the dam but that also incurs huge construction costs.

A more realistic alternative is to pile up a temporary ecology dike as Ulsan suggested. It is to pile a dike, 440 meters long, 15 meters high and 6 meters wide in front of Daegok stream that flows in front of the petroglyph to prevent water form passing, while installing a bridge near the dike for visiting people. This enables installation and cancellation possible until a permanent preservation measure is made, thereby preventing damage of the petroglyph.

However, the Cultural Heritage Administration opposes to this plan saying any damage to surroundings due to construction will make impossible the registration at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. However, the petroglyph is being damaged and simply arguing for world cultural heritage can't work. This is like a child having a severe health problem but parents insisting their child study harder to enter a prestigious college.

One can see just 20-30 pieces of rock among the total of 207 rocks at the Bangudae petroglyph due to cracks, detachment and weathering. In addition, 23.8 percent of the gross area of the rock wool are damaged, and it has been left without on-site checkup since 2010. It is certain that more damages have been made during the past three years. The goal at this point should be to prevent further damage.



허문명논설위원 angelhuh@donga.com