The Korea Heritage Service announced Monday it will hold an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking National Heritage Disaster Prevention Day. The event will honor contributors to heritage disaster safety and competition winners.
The agency received 236 entries in a nationwide heritage disaster safety competition held for approximately 30 days from late November through December last year. Twelve winners were selected across two categories—video and poster—with six awards in each. The agency will also recognize two organizations and 28 individuals for their contributions to heritage disaster safety and prevention policies.
Kim Jun-young's "An Ordinary Day (subtitle: A Day When Nothing Happens)" won the top video prize, while Ahn Dae-hyun's "National Heritage Is Not a Personal Plaything" took the top poster award. Organizational honors went to Gyeongsangnam-do Province and Wanju County in Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. Seven civilians and 21 public officials will receive individual commendations.
The Korea Heritage Service will also conduct joint inspections with local governments on approximately 40 heritage sites, including the Seoul City Wall, to prepare for the spring thaw season. The agency plans to hold disaster response discussions and field exercises with relevant authorities including fire and police departments, simulating scenarios involving fire, flood, and earthquake.
Starting Monday, the agency will operate "Sunrabot," an autonomous patrol robot, at Changdeokgung Palace for approximately one month using lottery fund financing. The pilot program aims to strengthen routine safety management and nighttime surveillance of national heritage sites. Sungnyemun Gate will be illuminated Monday evening to share the significance of National Heritage Disaster Prevention Day with the public.