Treasure No. 6 Yeoju Godalsaji tower to be restored

Part of the dragon and turtle form of national treasure No. 6 Yeoju Godalsaji Great Priest Wonjong Tower which was found in 16 years ago is likely to be positioned to where it belongs.

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday that two pieces of dragons additionally excavated while exploring the Yeoju Godalsaji in 2000 will be deliberated at the cultural heritage committee and restored by connecting to Priest Wonjong Tower. Two years ago, the National Museum had acquired these two pieces and examined them and identified their previous locations.

Set up in year 975 during the Goryeo Dynasty, the monument is 3.2 meters high and 1.56 meters wide, and the Priest Wonjong's birth date and his achievements are embedded on the rock. The tower collapsed in 1915 during the Japanese colonial period and was tore into eight pieces and thereafter was stored at the National Museum. The dragon and turtle shaped foundation rock were designated as treasures in 1963 and were installed at Yeoju Godalsaji. The body mimic was created in 2014 and are combined with the dragon and turtle base rock.

The Cultural Heritage Administration also plans to promote application for treasure of the body that was omitted at the national cultural heritage designation in 1963. However, besides the dragon piece that was discovered, it will not promote body restoration for the time being due to criticism that the body of the mimic can be damaged when taking the body out.

김상운 기자sukim@donga.com