Seoul Metropolitan Government Designates Jongmyo Shrine Area as a World Heritage Site Amid Controversy Over High-Rise Development

[Financial News] An area of approximately 194,000 square meters surrounding Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Seoul, will be designated as a World Heritage Site. This decision comes amid growing controversy after the Seoul Metropolitan Government revised the maximum building height in Sewoon District 4, located across from Jongmyo Shrine, to 145 meters. The Korea Heritage Service has stated it will strongly request the Seoul Metropolitan Government to conduct a World Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) based on this development.
On the 13th, the World Heritage Subcommittee under the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Korea Heritage Service held a meeting at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and approved the agenda for the new designation of the Jongmyo Shrine World Heritage Site. As a result, a total of 194,089.6 square meters around Jongmyo Shrine will be designated as a World Heritage Site under the Special Act on the Preservation, Management and Utilization of World Heritage. The Korea Heritage Service plans to complete the administrative procedures for this designation by next month.
According to the current Special Act on the Preservation, Management and Utilization of World Heritage, the head of the Korea Heritage Service may designate and manage World Heritage Sites when necessary.
In particular, the law requires a World Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) when constructing or expanding buildings or facilities that may negatively affect the 'Outstanding Universal Value' of a World Heritage Site.
Last October, the Korea Heritage Service announced plans to designate the areas surrounding 11 domestic World Heritage properties—including Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeongju Historic Areas, and Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes—as World Heritage Sites. At this meeting, only the agenda for Jongmyo Shrine was prioritized and approved.
Recently, after the Seoul Metropolitan Government unilaterally announced a plan change to allow a 145-meter-high skyscraper near Jongmyo Shrine, the Korea Heritage Service expedited the designation of the World Heritage Site.
Previously, the Korea Heritage Service conveyed UNESCO’s request for a World Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for Sewoon District 4 to the Seoul Metropolitan Government three times, but the city did not respond, claiming there was no legal obligation.
By designating the Jongmyo Shrine area as a World Heritage Site, the Korea Heritage Service appears to be increasing pressure on the Seoul Metropolitan Government to comply with the World Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) under the pretext of preservation.
gaa1003@fnnews.com An Ga-eul Reporter