Gimje city is holding an exhibition entitled 'Recording the Five Sites' until April 30 at the city hall, allowing citizens to engage with the results of a local archive project conducted by Jeonbuk National University. This initiative aims to document and commemorate village memories amidst the looming threat of local extinction in South Korea, by showcasing various materials and photographs related to the lives and times of several local communities. The exhibition highlights the histories and transformations of five administrative divisions: Mangyeong-eup, Baeksan-myeon, Gongdeok-myeon, Hwangsan-myeon, and Bongnam-myeon, with 12 to 14 representative pieces selected from each area.

Among the showcased histories are the stories of 'Gimje Gold Mine' in Bongnam-myeon and 'Wolcheon Gimje Mine' in Hwangsan-myeon. The Gimje gold mine began operating in 1926 when Mitsubishi Mining Co. acquired the mineral rights in the area, leading to forced land purchases and mechanized gold extraction, turning Gimje into Korea's largest gold mining site during the 1930s. However, this history is marred by the painful legacy of resource extraction and forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. The Wolcheon Gimje Mine utilized large workforces to mine gold through 'well-digging' techniques, resulting in the establishment of laborers' villages in the surrounding area. This exhibition serves to illuminate both the hidden gold reserves beneath Gimje’s plains and the historical context of colonial exploitation.

Significantly, this recording initiative not only preserves village memories but also builds a foundation for sharing local history in a systematic manner, with the aim of safeguarding regional identity amidst the threat of extinction. The city plans to expand this project by continuing to collect and organize oral and life history data from other areas such as Yongji-myeon and Baekgu-myeon, with a goal to accumulate and maintain the community's heritage until February 2027. A city official stated, 'Preserving local memories is essentially preparing for the future of the region,' emphasizing the value of these preservation efforts in uncovering and maintaining the worth of their communities.