GONGJU, July 27 (Korea Bizwire) – On July 15, a sculpture of Gomagom, the beloved mascot of Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province, was tragically washed away during a severe rainstorm. However, after 11 days of suspense, the sculpture was miraculously found, sparking widespread discussions and excitement.
Gomagom, a modern interpretation of a bear from a Baekje tale, holds significant cultural value as a symbol of historical heritage and serves as a protector of the princess. The captivating sculpture, standing at an impressive 2 meters tall and weighing 300 kilograms, was originally installed at the Jeonmak intersection in Sinkwan-dong, Gongju City, in 2015.
Gongju City officials reported on Thursday that the Gomagom sculpture was discovered about 1.5 kilometers away from its original location, along the Geum River, after being carried away by the river’s floods. In response, the city authorities are planning to mobilize a crane to carefully relocate the cherished “Gomagom” back to Mir Island, its initial home.
On July 15, heavy rains in the Chungcheongbuk-do region caused flooding, submerging Manharu in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do (Historic Site No. 12) under water.
The unfortunate incident took place in the middle of the month, when heavy rains poured down in the Chungcheong region, causing the river to swell. During this time, Gomagom was swept away, leaving many worried about its fate.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Management Center, the cumulative rainfall in Gongju City from July 13 to 5 p.m. on July 16 was recorded at a staggering 511 millimeters. The heavy rainfall resulted in the loss of one life and extensive damage to 1,203 public facilities, including 379 roads and bridges, 419 river banks, 223 small facilities, and 20 landslides. The entire region faced significant challenges due to this natural disaster.
Image credit: Gongju City Government, Yonhap, SNS (Twitter) / photonews@koreabizwire.com
