Gyeonggi Province Museum Neglects Goguryeo Artifacts

As efforts to revisit Goguryeo's historical significance gain momentum in response to China's Northeast Project, the Gyeonggi Province Museum has been spending substantial budgets on Chinese artifacts while neglecting acquisitions of Goguryeo relics, an allegation has emerged.

According to the "Status of Artifact Acquisitions 2004~2006" submitted by Gyeonggi Province to Rep. Lee Yoo-byung (Suwon District 3) on the 20th, the Gyeonggi Province Museum acquired 360 artifacts with a total budget of 7.3 billion won during the period.

Last year, the Gyeonggi Province Museum spent 1.5 billion won, equivalent to 60% of its artifact acquisition budget, to purchase 83 Chinese artifacts including clothing and portraits from the Han and Qing dynasties.

However, it was revealed that the Gyeonggi Province Museum has not executed any budget for Goguryeo-related artifact acquisitions over the past three years.

Meanwhile, fortress ruins constructed in Yeoncheon County and other Gyeonggi areas during the 5th and 6th centuries when Goguryeo was at its height are recognized as key historical sources for elucidating the formation process of sites such as Achasan. However, due to budget shortages and other reasons, there is reportedly no staff to manage these sites, leaving them exposed to risks of cultural heritage destruction.

Rep. Lee said, "Goguryeo artifacts are extremely scarce on the market, making purchases difficult, but efforts must be made to seek out private collectors to facilitate sales, and to secure Goguryeo artifacts through active archaeological excavations of Goguryeo sites."

In response, an official from the Gyeonggi Province Museum stated, "Goguryeo artifacts rarely come to market," while adding, "We are making efforts to secure Goguryeo artifacts through archaeological excavation work in northern Gyeonggi and other areas."