Oh Se-hoon: “The city’s future must not be brought to a halt in the name of preserving cultural heritage”

[Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called on the National Heritage Administration to provide clear legal grounds and establish reasonable regulatory standards for its demand for a World Heritage Impact Assessment of the redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 in front of Jongmyo Shrine. While acknowledging the importance of preserving cultural heritage, he maintained that redevelopment projects pursued for many years should not be delayed by excessive or unclear regulations.
Speaking at the policy forum “Preserving World Heritage and the Future of Cities: Finding a Path to Coexistence,” held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd, Oh said, “Protecting World Heritage is an important commitment to the international community, but the future of our city and the lives of its citizens must not be brought to a standstill in the name of protecting cultural heritage, without clear standards or supporting legal provisions.”
He went on to stress, “The preservation of cultural heritage and the development of cities are by no means conflicting values,” and added, “I hope you will join forces to improve the relevant laws and systems.”
The remarks came amid an ongoing dispute between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the National Heritage Administration over the redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 near Jongmyo Shrine. The district has been the subject of a redevelopment project for more than 20 years since it was designated for redevelopment in 2004, but the project has recently run into difficulties after the National Heritage Administration called for a World Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA).
A World Heritage Impact Assessment is a process for reviewing the effects of development projects and other activities on the value of a World Heritage site. The issues surrounding Sewoon District 4 are how far to apply assessments to protect World Heritage, and how to set regulatory standards and procedures for development projects.
The forum was jointly hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Chapter of the People Power Party and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. About 40 people attended, including lawmakers, experts in urban planning, cultural heritage and law, and people involved in redevelopment projects.
Professor Kim Ji-yeop of Sungkyunkwan University and Professor Nam Jin of the University of Seoul (UOS) gave presentations, respectively, on legal issues and areas for improvement in the World Heritage Impact Assessment system, and on the effects of World Heritage-related regulations on urban development. The ensuing discussion covered ways to improve the system to harmonize cultural heritage protection, urban development and citizens’ property rights.
The redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 also faces delays in deliberations over plans to preserve buried cultural heritage, in addition to the World Heritage Impact Assessment. On the 21st of last month, the National Heritage Committee deferred its review of the preservation plan for the district’s buried cultural heritage for the fourth time since 2024.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government had revised the preservation plan on the premise of “preservation through relocation,” as proposed in an earlier review. This time, however, the principle of “preservation in place” was put forward, leading the city to argue that the review criteria are inconsistent. The city’s concern is that changing standards for determining preservation methods have increased uncertainty around the project.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also raised concerns that linking the World Heritage Impact Assessment issue with the review of buried cultural heritage could lead to repeated delays in the project. However, it is open to using the assessment as an objective basis for judgment, provided residents agree. The city plans to continue discussions with the National Heritage Administration and residents to find a reasonable compromise.
Oh said, “Seoul is a city with a 600-year history, and one that has continually changed and developed,” adding, “Protecting our precious cultural heritage and working to improve citizens’ lives are both duties we can never neglect.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government continues to emphasize the need for institutional improvements that make regulations more predictable, so that cultural heritage preservation and redevelopment projects can coexist.

[email protected] Lee Seol-yeong Reporter