Sewoon District 4 Landowners: "Why Is Seonjeongneung Allowed, but Not Jongmyo Shrine?"

Seoul Jongmyo Shrine and Sewoon District 4. Photo by Yonhap News

In relation to the redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 in front of Jongmyo Shrine, landowners of Sewoon District 4 have raised objections, citing fairness with Seonjeongneung, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The landowners of Sewoon District 4 stated in a press release on the 19th, "Seonjeongneung in Gangnam, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the core area of Gangnam surrounded by high-rise buildings, yet it was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2009," adding, "Why is it acceptable for Seonjeongneung, but not for Jongmyo Shrine?"

They emphasized, "About 250 meters from Seonjeongneung, there are the POSCO Center Building (151 meters) and the DB Financial Center Building (154 meters), and about 500 to 600 meters away stands the super high-rise Trade Center Building (227 meters). However, none of these were considered issues when it came to World Heritage designation or cancellation."

They also pointed out that there are many cases abroad where high-rise buildings are located next to cultural heritage sites. The landowners stated, "The historic Tower of London, a symbol of the British monarchy, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and redevelopment took place about 400 to 500 meters from the heritage site. After redevelopment, it became a world-renowned attraction, drawing many tourists and serving as a key asset driving the national economy."

They also cited the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Japan, explaining, "Japan boldly lifted height restrictions around the palace, allowing a cluster of buildings ranging from 200 to 385 meters to form a forest of skyscrapers, revitalizing the Japanese economy and attracting a huge number of tourists."

They added, "Sewoon District 4 is located on the side that is barely visible from the main hall of Jongmyo Shrine. It is outside the main 60-degree field of view and is not a prominent area, yet Sewoon District 4 alone has been subject to blind and excessive height restrictions for more than 20 years, which is simply unacceptable."

Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a revision to the redevelopment promotion plan for Sewoon District 4, which included changes to the height regulations. The maximum building height was changed from 55 meters on the Jongno side and 71.9 meters on the Cheonggyecheon side to 101 meters on the Jongno side and 145 meters on the Cheonggyecheon side.

However, the city expanded the application of the elevation angle regulation, requiring that buildings within 100 meters of the Jongmyo Shrine boundary must fit within a 27-degree angle. As a result, the planned heights are 98.7 meters on the Jongno side and 141.9 meters on the Cheonggyecheon side.

In response, the National Heritage Administration is demanding the implementation of a World Heritage Impact Assessment, citing concerns that the cultural value of Jongmyo Shrine could be damaged.

Sewoon District 4 is located about 180 meters from Jongmyo Shrine, adjacent to Jongmyo to the north and Cheonggyecheon to the south. The distance between the Jongno side and the Cheonggyecheon side is about 150 meters, and the distance from the main gate of Jongmyo to the main hall is about 300 meters.

Meanwhile, Choi Hojung, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, visited the Jongmyo Shrine and Sewoon Shopping Center area on this day to inspect the development plans. Chair Choi stated, "Seoul is a city where the protection of cultural heritage and the lives of citizens coexist and harmonize, blending tradition and modernity. Therefore, it is necessary to pursue policies that achieve this balance." He added, "While preservation areas must of course be protected, excessive regulations outside those boundaries must also be addressed. As the legislative body representing the citizens, the Seoul Metropolitan Council will do its utmost to ensure flexible and effective policy implementation."

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