hankyoreh

By Jeong Hwan-bong, Staff writer
The Chosun Ilbo recently claimed that the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) had ruled in October last year that Gureombi Rocks did not warrant preservation status. The newspaper argued that similar topography existed in various places around Jeju Island, making Gureombi less important. An expert who wrote an on-site inspection report on Gureombi at the time has retorted by saying that Gureombi Rocks were still of value and could receive state cultural heritage designation if they have unique geological structures.
Since rock blasting began at Gureombi last Wednesday, a tense standoff over the truth of Gureombi Rocks has been taking place. Those opposed to the naval base construction are claiming that they must be protected, while those in favor of the project argue that they are nothing but common rocks.
In a telephone interview with the Hankyoreh on Sunday, geological expert and Sangji University honorary professor Lee Gwang-chun, who wrote and submitted to the CHA a report on a field study conducted on Jeju’s coast at Gureombi last October, stated, “The report absolutely did not give the green light to destroy Gureombi Rocks. The Gureombi Rocks are still of value and if, in the construction process, uncommon geological structures such as underground caves are discovered, it is quite possible that they may receive state cultural heritage designation.”
Kang Sun-seok, head of a geological research institute on Jeju who stated in last Friday‘s Chosun Ilbo that Gureombi Rocks were not of sufficient value to be designated items of cultural heritage, emphasized, “At least 90% of Jeju’s coastline is basalt, but some parts, including the coastline at Gureombi, is characterized geologically by trachyandesite, which is of high viscosity, making its scenery outstanding and its value worth preserving. Above all, it is an important asset that is imbued with the lives of the people of Gangjeong.”
In the morning, cultural heritage expert and head of Korea Cultural Heritage Policy Research Institute Hwang Pyeong-woo held a press conference at Gangjeong‘s village hall. He said, “Gureombi Rocks must be designated as items of national cultural heritage.” Hwang claimed that a survey conducted by the CHA in 2007 clearly stated that Gureombi Rocks were of high cultural heritage value and that excavation and other studies were needed. Hwang said that he would charge the navy, which had ignored this and proceeded forcibly with the construction work, and the CHA, which had neglected its duty to protect cultural heritage, with violation of cultural heritage law.
　
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