▲ This May 13, 2026, file photo shows tourists visiting Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- A "National Heritage Stay" program that will allow visitors to spend a night experiencing the charm and elegance of traditional Korean houses will be launched in earnest next year.

 

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Friday that next year's budget has been set at 1.6645 trillion won under the government's proposed budget and fund management plan recently approved by the Cabinet.

 

The figure represents an increase of about 11.2 percent, or 167.4 billion won, from this year's 1.4971 trillion won budget.

 

The agency said the increase reflects the government's commitment to raising the national brand value of cultural heritage, the source of K-culture, and helping Korea become a leading cultural powerhouse.

 

▲ This May 13, 2026, file photo shows tourists visiting Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

By sector, 691 billion won has been allocated for repairing and maintaining cultural heritage and building a foundation for its preservation, up about 119.9 billion won from this year.

 

The government plans to spend 147.2 billion won on the preservation and use of palaces and Joseon royal tombs, 131.2 billion won on cultural heritage utilization and 100.2 billion won on disaster response for cultural heritage.

 

Next year, opportunities to enjoy and experience cultural heritage are expected to expand across the country.

 

The agency will invest 6.1 billion won to develop lodging facilities at 10 historic traditional houses and create history and culture programs linked to nearby heritage sites as part of the stay program.

 

It will also launch the "Rest Project," with a budget of about 1.5 billion won, to turn major heritage sites, including Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan, Chilbaeguichong Tomb in Geumsan, Manin-uichong Tomb in Namwon, Gwangneung Royal Tomb in Namyangju and Uireung Royal Tomb in Seoul, into places of rest.

 

▲ Tourists visit Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul on Aug. 9, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

Efforts to promote K-heritage products will also accelerate. The agency plans to invest 11 billion won next year to establish a national heritage gift shop at Gyeongbok Palace.

 

The agency said it aims to develop palace and royal tomb viewing programs and exhibition content while improving infrastructure so that the number of foreign visitors to Korea's royal palaces will exceed 7 million in 2027.

 

A budget of 3.3 billion won will be allocated to establish the National Institute of Natural Heritage, dedicated to research on natural heritage such as natural monuments and scenic sites. The institute is scheduled to open in 2032 on Eulsukdo Island in Busan.

 

The 2027 budget plan will be finalized after review and approval by the National Assembly.

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