The purpose of this Act is to restore and maintain the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital, a valuable cultural asset of the Korean people, and thereby revive the original culture of this country and contribute to the establishment of the national identity and the development of Gyeongju, where the Silla Royal Capital is located, as a vibrant historical and cultural city.
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
| 1. | The term “Silla Royal Capital” means the capital city of the Sylla Dynasty during the Silla and Unified Silla periods, which refers to Gyeongju and its surrounding area where the kings, among others, lived and ruled; |
| 2. | The term “core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital” means any ruins located in the Silla Royal Capital as prescribed by Presidential Decree, which include the royal palace site of Silla (hereinafter referred to as “Wolseong Place Site”), Hwangnyongsa Temple, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and the Cheomseongdae Observatory. |
| Article 3 (Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall cooperate with each other for the smooth and efficient undertaking of the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital, and make efforts to successfully promote the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall develop a funding plan, etc. to enable stable undertaking of the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital, which could make financial assistance necessary to ensure such restoration and maintenance available. |
| Article 4 (Relationship to Other Statutes) |
| (1) | This Act shall prevail over other statutes in regard to the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital. |
| Article 5 (Formulation of Comprehensive Plan for Preservation and Maintenance of Core Ruins of Silla Royal Capital) |
| (1) | For the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital, the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration shall, every five years, formulate a comprehensive plan for the restoration and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital (hereinafter referred to as “comprehensive plan”), after seeking opinions from the Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Mayor of Gyeongju-si and consultations with the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies. The same shall also apply when the Administrator intends to modify any important matters in the comprehensive plan as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | A comprehensive plan shall include the following information: |
| 1. | Basic directions and objectives of the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital; |
| 2. | Planning and undertaking of the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital; |
| 3. | Funding sources for the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital; |
| 4. | Investigations and research on the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital; |
| 5. | Other matters necessary for the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | Other matters necessary for the formulation of a comprehensive plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 6 (Establishment of Annual Implementation Plan) |
| (1) | The Mayor of Gyeongju-si shall establish an annual implementation plan (hereinafter referred to as “implementation plan”) in accordance with the comprehensive plan, and obtain approval of such plan from the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration after review by the Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do. |
| (2) | The Mayor of Gyeongju-si shall assess the progress of the implementation plan for the previous year and reflect the results of such assessment in the implementation plan for the following year. |
| (3) | Other matters necessary for the establishment of an implementation plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 7 (Creation and Operation of Promotion Team) |
| (1) | The Cultural Heritage Administration shall have a promotion team for the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital (hereinafter referred to as “promotion team”) to efficiently perform the functions related to the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the functions, composition and operation of the promotion team shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Restoration and Maintenance Projects) |
The Government and local governments shall promote the following projects for the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital:
| 1. | Preservation and maintenance of the Wolseong Place Site; |
| 2. | Preservation and maintenance of the Hwangnyongsa Temple; |
| 3. | Preservation and maintenance of the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond; |
| 4. | Preservation and maintenance of the Woljeonggyo Bridge; |
| 5. | Re-excavation and exhibition of large ancient tombs; |
| 6. | Preservation and maintenance of the central Bang (administrative unit) of the Silla Royal Capital; |
| 7. | Excavation and maintenance of the area surrounding the Cheomseongdae Observatory; |
| 8. | Excavation and maintenance of the Jjoksaem District. |
| Article 9 (Reporting to the National Assembly) |
The Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration shall submit a report on the preservation and maintenance of the core ruins of the Silla Royal Capital to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly before the National Assembly opens its regular session each year.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 16779, Dec. 10, 2019>
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.