In Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, a space has been established to store and display artifacts found at sea and on islands that have not been designated as national heritage items. According to the National Heritage Administration and the Korean Cultural Heritage Association, a new maritime area facility named ‘Yedamgo’ is set to open with a ceremony. The name ‘Yedamgo’ translates to “a space containing old things” and serves both as a repository for non-nationally designated artifacts and as an exhibition, education, and experience center.
Prior to this, similar Yedamgo facilities were opened in March last year in the Chungcheong region and in October in the Honam region. There are plans to open another Yedamgo in the Yeongnam region, specifically in the Mogok Tunnel in Haman, Gyeongnam, in March next year. Facilities in the metropolitan and Gangwon areas are scheduled for 2027-2028.
The newly opened maritime Yedamgo has been renovated from ‘Cheonghaesa,’ a building that served as a dormitory for female students from island regions in Jeollanam-do from 1979 to 2003 and was left vacant afterward.
This space is expected to house over 41,000 excavation artifacts from 54 different sites. Notable items include pottery from the Gosan-ri site in Jeju, shell mounds from the Uiam Shell Midden in Sin-gum-ri, Gwangyang, and ceramics discovered in the Mado sea area in Taean.
The National Heritage Administration stated, “Beyond the simple function of storage, we plan to offer exhibition and education programs to provide local residents and visitors with opportunities to learn the value of excavated artifacts.”
The ongoing exhibition in the maritime Yedamgo’s permanent exhibition hall, titled “Crossing the Sea, Transcending Time,” showcases over 160 artifacts.