Full-Scale Development of Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, the Historic City Breathing the Spirit of Baekje in 2000 Begins

Sampyo Remicon Factory Transformed into a Massive Historical Park... Construction of Seoseong Wall Ruins Protection Pavilion Museum and Moat Park Development

Aerial View of Dongseong Wall Moat Park

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The creation of Pungnap-dong, a 2,000-year-old historic city where the spirit of Baekje lives, is set to begin in earnest.

Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) announced the "2020 Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress Restoration and Maintenance Project Execution Plan" on the 19th.

Pungnap-dong is the site where Baekje pottery, building remains, and road relics were discovered during the great flood of 1925. Accordingly, historians have suggested that it was the royal city of Baekje and have called for its protection.

Songpa-gu is also carrying out the Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress restoration and maintenance project, focusing on the western fortress wall (west wall) and the moat. The moat is a man-made trench or natural stream surrounding the fortress wall to prevent enemy access. In 2015, the moat was discovered for the first time at Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress.

First, the Sampyo Industrial Pungnap Ready-Mixed Concrete Plant, located at the western fortress wall, will be transformed into a 21,000㎡ historical park. In February 2019, the Supreme Court confirmed the compulsory acquisition of the plant, and on January 10th, ownership was transferred to Songpa-gu. Songpa-gu explained that they will not only restore the fortress wall but also create walking paths, exercise facilities, and other amenities to improve the village landscape and residents' convenience.

Additionally, a dome-shaped "Relic Protection Pavilion" will be constructed to showcase the excavation site of the western fortress wall as it is. Moving away from the traditional "backfilling after excavation" approach, the plan is to allow visitors to experience the excavated relics vividly. Including this, an on-site museum aiming to open in 2022 will be built. The exterior of the museum will be designed to harmonize with the fortress, and the interior will provide access to related materials. Through the Relic Protection Pavilion, a viewing course will be operated along the currently excavated massive fortress wall measuring 100 meters in length and 60 meters in width, as well as the entrance facilities (gate).

Sequential investigations and maintenance will be conducted on the historic site located at Gwangnaru Hangang Park, corresponding to the northern side of the western fortress wall. This will confirm the existence of the remaining western fortress wall of Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress and take additional measures if necessary. If the western fortress wall remains are confirmed, it will be possible to accurately understand the western boundary of Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress and identify the starting point of the waterway route using the Han River.

A "Moat Park" utilizing the first discovered moat of Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortress will also be created. In 2006, Songpa-gu confirmed a large moat connected to the fortress wall on the site of the former solar housing. The Moat Park, scheduled to open in 2021, will feature a freshwater moat with lotus flowers, flower beds planted with herbaceous plants, and a small performance stage for gatherings, expected to become a diverse resting space for local residents.

Panorama of Pungnap Toseong Fortress

In addition, improvements to the Pungnap Baekje Cultural Park and the reproduction of Baekje houses to showcase Baekje daily life are underway.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "Pungnap-dong is rich in important cultural assets and cultural resources of Baekje," adding, "We will spare no effort to make Pungnap-dong a 2,000-year-old historic city where the spirit of Baekje lives by making good use of these resources."

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