Oh Se-hoon: “Development near Jongmyo will make its value tenfold, even a hundredfold”

[The Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, amid controversy over whether high-rise development in Sewoon 4 District near Jongmyo would damage the historic and cultural landscape, “If things proceed according to Seoul’s plan, Jongmyo’s value will be 10 times, 100 times higher than it is now.” He also stressed that preserving the historic and cultural resources around Jongmyo and developing the Sewoon district were not conflicting policies.
At a press conference at Seoul City Hall on the 7th marking 100 days since the start of his ninth popularly elected term, Mayor Oh responded to criticism that preserving the historic and cultural value of Jongno 3-ga conflicted with high-rise development in Sewoon 4 District. “That kind of question may arise if you look at it superficially, but when you look at the substance of the policy, the two are not in conflict at all,” he said.
Mayor Oh stressed that the Seoul Metropolitan Government had played a significant role in improving the environment around Jongmyo over the past 20 years.
“If you compare how much the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Heritage Service have contributed to highlighting Jongmyo and enhancing its heritage value, I am confident that Seoul has contributed overwhelmingly more,” he said.
He cited the renovation of the plaza in front of Jongmyo and the connection between Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo as leading examples. “Twenty years ago, the area in front of Jongmyo was so bad it was embarrassing to show to anyone. Now it has become a green space that people can enjoy,” Mayor Oh said, stressing, “It was the Seoul Metropolitan Government that turned it into the clean, enjoyable space it is today.”
He also stressed that the project to put Yulgok-ro underground and connect Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo with green space was “something the Seoul Metropolitan Government did.” He also cited improvements to Seosulla-gil, the removal of a gas station in front of Changdeokgung Palace, and improvements to Donhwamun-ro as examples of the city enhancing the value of historic and cultural resources.
Mayor Oh also disputed claims that the height of buildings in Sewoon 4 District would damage Jongmyo’s historic and cultural landscape.
“Didn’t we prove it by flying an advertising balloon, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government argued?” he said. “The buildings are nowhere near tall enough to overwhelm Jongmyo or undermine its status as a cultural heritage site,” he asserted.
Mayor Oh also addressed the Korea Heritage Service, saying, “I can assure you that my affection for cultural heritage is in no way less than that of the head of the Korea Heritage Service. Trust Seoul and leave it to us.”
He argued in particular that the large green corridor to be created after the demolition of Sewoon Sangga would instead enhance Jongmyo’s historic and cultural value.
“If you help us ensure that things proceed according to Seoul’s plan in Sewoon 4 District, Jongmyo’s value will be 10 times, 100 times higher than it is now,” Mayor Oh said. “We are moving ahead with the project because we are confident that once Sewoon Sangga is demolished and a green space 80 meters wide and 1 kilometer long is created, Jongmyo will be transformed into a place where its heritage value stands out more than that of any other historic site in the world.”

[email protected] Lee Seol-young Reporter