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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Jongno District Chief Approves Redevelopment Near Jongmyo Shrine Ahead of Term End; Heritage Agency Vows Response

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Seoul's Jongno District Office approved a redevelopment plan for Zone 4 of Seun, near Jongmyo Shrine, just two weeks before the district chief's term ends.
  • The National Heritage Agency and the mayor-elect of Jongno District oppose the plan, citing concerns about damaging the cityscape around the UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • The agency plans joint government action, including potentially revoking the approval, to halt the project, leading to potential administrative and legal disputes.

A redevelopment plan for Zone 4 of Seun, located opposite the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jongmyo Shrine, has been approved by the outgoing Jongno District Chief, Jung Moon-heon. The plan allows for the construction of commercial and office facilities up to 35 stories high. This decision has ignited a conflict with the National Heritage Agency, which has been demanding the project's suspension due to concerns about its impact on the cityscape visible from Jongmyo.

The National Heritage Agency, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are preparing a joint response.

— National Heritage Agency officialRegarding the potential government action against the approved redevelopment plan.

The approved plan significantly increases building heights along Cheonggyecheon Stream from 71.8m to 141.09m and along Jongno Street from 54m to 98.7m, with the maximum number of floors rising from 20 to 38. The approval, announced in the district's official gazette, takes effect immediately, allowing the project to move into subsequent licensing and construction preparation phases.

The core of the dispute lies in the National Heritage Agency's demand for a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). The agency argues that the proposed high-rise buildings will harm the view of Jongmyo. Seoul City, however, had opposed conducting the assessment first, fearing project delays. Now, with the approval in place, the National Heritage Agency is preparing joint government action with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. They are considering measures such as revoking the approval.

We are reviewing the legality of the district chief personally drafting and approving the amendment, and ignoring the administrative order not to proceed with licensing before reflecting the results of the World Heritage Impact Assessment.

— National Heritage Agency officialDescribing the legal review of the district chief's actions.

Adding to the controversy, the incoming district chief, Yoo Chan-jong, had urged a halt to all licensing procedures. Despite this, the current district chief pushed forward with the approval. Reports also indicate internal turmoil within the Jongno District Office, with investigations launched into staff who hesitated to process the public notice. This situation places civil servants under pressure from both the outgoing chief's decision and the mayor-elect's impending review.

Halt all licensing procedures.

— Yoo Chan-jongThe mayor-elect of Jongno District's instruction to the current administration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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