The government on Sunday said it would build a polycarbonate “dam” inside Sayeon Dam in Ulsan to protect the rock faces of Bangudae, located on Daegokcheon Stream Cliff, from erosion.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, Cultural Heritage Administration chief Byun Young-sup, Culture Minister Yoo Jin-ryong and Ulsan Mayor Park Maeng-woo, which allows the installment of a “kinetic dam,” a portable, transparent protection wall around the ancient artifact, so that the waters of the bigger dam will not reach the engravings. 

Experts will first conduct thorough studies for feasibility and safety before deciding on the schedule and details of the installation, the PMO said.

“The Bangudae engravings have been a controversial issue within the society for over 10 years. The polycarbonate dam is movable so that its level could be adjusted according to the water level change of Sayeon Dam. It is also easy to install and dismantle. It is transparent to prevent blockage of the sun gathering moss,” the PMO stated in a press release.

The Bangudae engraving, measuring 3 meters high and 10 meters long, include images of numerous humans, animals, ships, tolls and unknown creatures. National Treasure No. 285 is considered the mother of all Korean arts and is one of the oldest works of art, portraying whaling by prehistoric men.

The petroglyphs were discovered in 1971, six years after Sayeon Dam was created to secure drinking water and to prevent floods. Cultural experts have been urging the government to “readjust” the water level of the reservoir as the water, which covers the carvings for 6-7 months a year, has reportedly damaged one-third of the engravings.

The artifacts have been a UNESCO World Heritage candidate since 2011, which requires full protection of not only the artifact but the surrounding environment for a proper enlistment.

President Park Geun-hye has been keen on the issue, appointing Byun Young-sup, a devout Bangudae preservationist, as chief of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Byun has been criticized for putting all the agency’s energy into Bangudae propaganda.

But Ulsan refused to take action for the sake of securing drinking water for the 1.1 million citizens of the city and surrounding areas. Then politicians circle jumped in, with the ruling Saenuri Party attempting to meddle in the case.

“We will have to study the feasibility of the agreement. I doubt that the kinetic walls requiring another 8-meter-deep dig is good for the environment or whether it could resist the water pressure. I don’t think it will lead to the UNESCO Heritage enlistment. We will need more discussions about it,” a civic activist said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)