Seoul City: "The Garden of Gratitude Embodies Korea's Identity, Not an Authoritarian Space"

City Refutes Prime Minister Kim Minseok’s Criticism, Citing “Proper Procedures”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that the Garden of Gratitude, being established at Gwanghwamun Square, is “an embodiment of freedom and world peace, which are the core identities of the Republic of Korea.”

In a press release on the 17th, the city stated, “The Garden of Gratitude is not a monument being erected in an authoritarian space.”

Yonhap News Agency

The Garden of Gratitude is a project by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to honor the fallen heroes of the Korean War. The project will feature 23 sculptures above ground-one for each of the 22 participating nations and one for Korea itself-and an underground media wall designed to facilitate communication with the participating countries.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Kim Minseok visited the construction site of the Garden of Gratitude and met with civic groups, where he received feedback that “it is inappropriate to create an authoritarian space commemorating foreign troops in Gwanghwamun Square.” While touring the site, Prime Minister Kim remarked, “I wonder whether the public will understand the installation of a ‘present arms’ sculpture at Gwanghwamun, where King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin are honored.”

In response to criticism regarding the form of the sculptures, the city explained, “The ‘present arms’ salute motif was chosen to pay the highest respect to the Korean military and UN veterans who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War. We regret that portraying this as a mere product of war fails to properly honor the noble sacrifices of our fallen heroes.”

Regarding Prime Minister Kim’s directive to review the project for any legal, procedural, or substantive issues, the city countered, “Since the establishment of the basic plan, we have lawfully followed all administrative procedures, including investment reviews under the Local Finance Act and Public Property Act, as well as the public property management plan, ensuring compliance in legal, procedural, and substantive aspects.”

The city stated, “Gwanghwamun Square welcomes 27 million domestic and international visitors annually, making it the most suitable place to effectively convey our message of gratitude to the participating nations and strengthen solidarity with the world. The Garden of Gratitude will expand the meaning of Gwanghwamun Square, which has become a center of history and culture as well as a major leisure space for citizens, and will help it emerge as a global symbolic landmark.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.