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| Choi Eung-chon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, speaks during a press conference held at the Westin Josun hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said it will closely monitor visitor counts after the government introduced free entry to 65 Buddhist temples nationwide.
Having an entry charge for Buddhist temples has been a contentious issue for over six decades, as even hikers who had to simply pass through the temples to enter mountain areas had to pay fees, ranging from 1,000 won ($0.70) to 5,000 won per person.
The government recently revised the Cultural Heritage Protection Act to provide financial support in order to allow free admission to temples affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The revised act requires the government to fund free entry at Buddhist temples receiving its support. A total of 42.1 billion won was allocated this year, according to the CHA.
"We haven't received any additional requests from the Jogye Order to increase the government funding to make up for the admission fees. We think the free entry to Buddhist temples will result in a more diverse range of visitors and ensure better access to our cultural heritage," CHA Administrator Choi Eung-chon said during a press conference held at the Westin Josun hotel in Seoul, Tuesday.
"Since the free admissions are financed by the government, we will keep track of the number of visitors and make sure taxes are not overused."
The CHA will continue its Visit Korean Heritage campaign this year in a move to attract international tourists and promote Korea's cultural heritage.
"As Korean culture continues to attract enthusiasts from around the world, we will continue our efforts to promote aspects of our cultural heritage that are lesser-known and share their value with people around the globe," Choi said.
"This year we will hold promotional events in Tokyo (in May), Los Angeles (in August) and London (in November) to raise awareness of our cultural heritage. We plan to hold K-pop concerts, introduce Korean royal desserts and exhibit media art."
Co-organized by the CHA and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, this year's campaign will feature 10 routes centered on UNESCO World Heritage sites and Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in the country.
Actress Kim Min-ha, who shot to fame with her role in the Apple TV+ series "Pachinko," will serve as the campaign's PR ambassador for the second consecutive year. Filmmaker Kim Tae-yong, known for his 2011 film "Late Autumn," will produce a video to promote the Folk Music Route.
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