Plan to build memorial in Gwanghwamun Square reignites clash between Seoul City, ruling bloc

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, third from right, speaks about the creation of a memorial for the 1950-53 Korean War in front of the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The ruling bloc and Seoul City are clashing again as the former voices its opposition to the latter’s plan to establish a new memorial for the 1950-53 Korean War at Gwanghwamun Square in the center of the capital.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Monday he would look into whether there were any procedural or legal flaws in pursuing the project.

It was the ruling bloc’s latest criticism of projects led by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, a prominent People Power Party (PPP) politician who is seeking another term in next June’s local elections.

Speculation is that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is moving to constrain Oh and take back the Seoul mayorship, and that Kim himself is planning to run for the post, since it is rare for a prime minister to intervene in a local government’s affairs.

"Gwanghwamun is Korea’s symbolic face and the heart of its democracy and future. It is questionable whether transforming it in this way has public support," Kim said while looking around the planned site, as the city government began construction for the project.

“In matters like this, I think it’s better to have a long-term goal and fully reflect public opinion ... We’ll see if there’s anything to check in the administrative and procedural process,” he said, later ordering the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to report any legal or procedural flaws.

Named the “Garden of Gratitude,” the project is to feature 23 stone sculptures resembling raised rifles next to the King Sejong statue, to honor the 22 countries that supported South Korea during the Korean War. It is slated to be completed by April at a cost of 73 billion won ($50 million).

This rendered image shows the "Garden of Gratitude" to be installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Other figures from government agencies and the DPK who joined Kim warned that the memorial risks eroding the square’s identity.

"This space, surrounded by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the King Sejong statue and the Chosun Language Society Memorial, embodies our defense of the Korean language and Hangeul," said Bang Hak-jin, director at the Center for Historical Truth and Justice. "A war memorial here undermines its cultural role."

Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk of the DPK, a former history professor, also emphasized the gravity of the location. "Gyeongbok Palace and Gwanghwamun form our nation’s most important historical zone. Putting a U.N. memorial garden here is perplexing. Other places like Yongsan Park would be better suited for remembrance and international friendship," the lawmaker said.

Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Park Ju-min, fourth from left, holds a press conference with civic activists at the National Assembly in Seoul, Nov. 5, to urge Seoul City to withdraw its plan to build a Korean War memorial in Gwanghwamun Square. Yonhap

This latest controversy follows earlier disputes that have put Oh on a collision course with the central government and the DPK.

Earlier this month, a Supreme Court ruling supported the city's ordinance relaxing development restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage sites, giving a green light for its plan to build skyscrapers as tall as 145 meters near Jongmyo Shrine.

This led to protests from the Korea Heritage Service, which said the development project will pose a “grave threat” to the shrine's value. The state-run agency warned that UNESCO could revoke Jongmyo's World Heritage status if its value is compromised.

Kim, who also visited the shrine days after the ruling, criticized the project. "Building towers here suffocates the area’s culture, economy and future," he said.

Another clash emerged around Seoul’s Hangang Bus ferry service, after one of its vessels ran aground near a dock in Jamsil on Saturday evening and led to the suspension of service on several routes. The accident came less than two weeks after operations had been resumed following a monthlong suspension due to repeated breakdowns.

Regarding the accident, Kim directed Seoul City to "work closely with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to thoroughly investigate" and review all aspects of the safety of the river bus service.

Oh responded forcefully on social media, alleging that the central government was "unfairly denigrating Seoul’s initiatives" and calling the criticism a "political attack."

"I suggest an open debate with the prime minister on what Seoul should look like for the coexistence of history and the future," Oh said about the Jongmyo issue. About the Hangang Bus service, he said, "It is inappropriate to use a safety issue for a political attack. What's needed is a calm review and real improvement."