Seoul mayor to reconsider 100-meter flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square amid growing criticism

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon explains the purpose and meaning of erecting a 100-meter flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square during a press briefing at City Hall, Thursday. Yonhap

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will reconsider its plan to set up a 100-meter-tall flagpoleat Gwanghwamun Square, amid growing public opposition, the mayor said Thursday.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also said he is open to all possibilities as long as it boosts national pride and honors war veterans.

"The core aim of the initiative is to boost public pride, foster a sense of national patriotism and honor war veterans," Oh said during a press briefing at City Hall.

During a meeting with Korean War veterans on June 25, Oh announced plans to dedicate a sculpture symbolizing patriotism and national pride to Gwanghwamun Square. The initial proposal included a 100-meter-tall flagpole, flying a Korean national flag measuring 21 meters wide and 14 meters high.

Oh acknowledged that previous explanations about the purpose and meaning of the project were insufficient.

He emphasized that Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of the city, is a national symbol where history, culture and civic spirit coexist. He also noted that the square is a significant landmark for not only Seoul citizens but also foreign residents and international tourists.

To enhance the symbolic nature of the site, Oh plans to install a media facade to display moving images and a brazier to hold an "inextinguishable flame" in honor of patriots and Korean War veterans.

He suggested that this memorial could become a significant site for visitors, particularly those from the 22 countries that participated in the Korean War.

"It can be a place commemorating the 22 countries that took part in the Korean War, becoming a must-visit site for international visitors," Oh said.

He also defended the choice of hanging the national flag at Gwanghwamun Square, stating that the national flag is universally recognized as the country's symbol.

He cited examples from other countries, such as the Civic Center in San Francisco, Marunouchi Square in Tokyo and Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City, Mexico, where national flags serve as prominent symbols.

Oh pointed out that there are five officially recognized national symbols according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety — the national flag, national anthem, national flower, national emblem and national seal.

"It doesn’t need to be the national flag necessarily. It can be anything among these five symbols, or even beyond these symbols if there is public consensus," he said.

This rendered image shows a 100-meter-tall flagpole flying the "Taegeukgi," or Korean national flag, at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Meanwhile, criticism is mounting over the city government’s plan, citing concerns of excessive patriotism and wasting the budget.

On the city's policy proposal website, one citizen commented, "It reminds me of the symbols of transitional nationalism seen during the dictatorships of the past."

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has also voiced opposition, highlighting the project's estimated 11 billion won ($7.96 million) budget and the lack of prior discussion with the council.

The Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city government last year to create a national symbolic space, also criticized the project as unilateral.

In response, the city government announced it would review all specific plans, including the 100-meter flagpole, and consider all possible changes. It also emphasized that it will gather opinions from citizens and experts to create a meaningful space that reflects public wishes and will.

Specifically, the city government will establish a separate channel on its website to collect feedback from the public.

It will proceed to design a public subscription in August after gathering opinions. The goal is to complete the basic design and implementation by April next year, start construction in May and finish by December.