 Jongmyo is Joseon-era royal shrine that is listed as UNESCO’s world asset. |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
As Seoul City bids to gain UNESCO World Heritage status for Seoul Fortress, a controversial plan claimed by some to threaten another of the city’s recognized treasures has retaken the spotlight.
The plan to build a skyscraper in front of Jongmyo, which sits on the World Heritage list, was this week derailed after the latest intervention of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA).
The organization first raised an objection to the building across from Jongmyo, the royal shrine of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), in September. The shrine has been listed as a World Heritage site since 1995.
SH Corporation, a city-affiliated company in charge of the redevelopment project, altered the design and submitted it again, with the height lowered to 110 meters from 122 meters.
The new building will be some three times higher than the Sewoon building it will replace and critics claim that it will spoil the view of Jongmyo and may result in the cancellation of its status as a World Heritage site.
The city consulted cultural heritage experts and suggested planting tall trees to maintain the atmosphere around Jongmyo, but the CHA did not allow meddling with the royal shrine. The CHA decided Monday to put the project on hold once again. SH said it will adjust the height of the building to meet the request of the CHA.
“This is a part of the city’s master plan to redevelop the Seun area in Jongno. We have no other choice but to go ahead with the construction since it is all linked to the Seun Green Way Park project,” a representative of SH Corp. said.
Meanwhile, Seoul announced plans to repair Doneuimun, the western gate of Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, last month. It will be rebuilt near Gangbuk Samsung Hospital with a budget of 147 billion won by 2013.
The city will apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site listing after restoring the gate and the fortress wall.
Experts say that the city applies double standards when it comes to cultural heritage preservation and restoration.
Hwang Pyung-woo, the director of the Cultural Heritage Policy Research Institute (CHPRI), said the city government should focus on protecting existing heritage sites and restoring Seoul Fortress.
“The residence of Seoul’s mayor in Hyehwa-dong is built close to the fortress wall. The city said they will demolish the house to restore the fortress, but it seems that the residence is likely to remain there until next June, when Mayor Oh’s term expires,” Hwang said. “Mayor Oh can’t have it both ways.”
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
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