Revitalization of 'Namsan Yejang Area,' a Historical Site from Japanese Colonial to Military Dictatorship Era... Completion in May

Seo Jeong-hyeop Acting Mayor Inspects 'Namsan Yejang Jarak' Site Nearing Completion of Regeneration Project
Reborn as a Site Remembering Painful History Damaged by Japanese Occupation and Isolated for Over a Century
'Udang Memorial Hall' Final Construction Underway, Opening in May

Namsan Yejang Area Regeneration Project

Pre-restoration panoramic photo of Namsan Yejang area

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] ‘Namsan Yejangjarak’ is being reborn as a site that remembers painful history. Although it was once a martial arts training ground (Yejang) for soldiers during the Joseon Dynasty, it lost its original form during the Japanese colonial period, and during the military dictatorship era, it housed the Central Intelligence Agency, notorious for torture interrogations, blocking access to ordinary citizens for over a century.

On the 3rd, Seoul City announced that the Namsan Yejangjarak regeneration project, which began in 2015, has completed over five years of work and will fully return to the citizens in May. Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop visited the ‘Namsan Yejangjarak’ site at 10 a.m. that day to inspect the final construction status.

Acting Mayor Seo said, "The Namsan Yejangjarak regeneration project focused on restoring the sense of place and historical significance, transforming it into a space for citizens to rest and feel and remember the painful history. It also marks the completion of restoring Namsan’s original appearance, which began with the demolition of the Foreigners’ Apartments. We will complete the production of exhibition content for the Udang Memorial Hall and Memory 6 by May without delay and fully return Namsan Yejangjarak to the citizens."

The upper part of Namsan Yejangjarak has been reborn as a 13,036㎡ green park after restoring the damaged original form and green landscape. It opened its doors for the first time this year. In the green park, ‘Memory 6’ was created on the site of the former ‘Central Intelligence Agency 6th Bureau’ to remember the dark history of human rights violations by state power. The most eye-catching space in ‘Memory 6’ is the red mailbox-shaped exhibition space called the ‘Memorial Hall,’ where video and other exhibition content are being produced and will officially open in March.

The final ongoing construction is the ‘Udang Memorial Hall’ located beneath the green park. It is a space commemorating independence activist Udang Lee Hoe-young, who devoted all his assets to the country’s independence, and it will open in May. A transfer station for the eco-friendly ‘Green Circulation Bus’ to Namsan will also begin operation in March.

Reconstructed through urban regeneration, ‘Namsan Yejangjarak’ consists mainly of two spaces: the green park and the underground space beneath the green park. First, the green park was planted with various trees, including 1,642 pine trees, which are native to Namsan, among 18 species of large trees, and 62,033 shrubs of 31 species including evergreen shrubs, enhancing the greenery and landscape beautifully. The observatory overlooking the Myeongdong area across is expected to be a popular spot for enjoying Seoul’s night view and a photo zone.

Near the plaza entrance to the green park, a pine forest called ‘Yejang Forest’ was created. Chief Director Seo Hae-sung explained, "We named the trees after a line from the national anthem, which independence activists sang with earnest hope to reclaim the country, to honor the spirit of patriotism and love for the nation."

Within the green park is ‘Memory 6,’ the core space of ‘Namsan Yejangjarak.’ The ‘Memorial Hall,’ built in the shape of a red mailbox to symbolize communication with the past, is an exhibition space reflecting on the painful history of human rights violations by state power. The basement level 1 faithfully reproduces the underground torture rooms of the former Central Intelligence Agency. In front of the ‘Memorial Hall,’ visitors can also see the ‘Ruins Site,’ preserving part of the foundation of the former Governor-General of Korea’s official residence uncovered during the regeneration project.

‘Memory 6’ was established on the site of the ‘Central Intelligence Agency 6th Bureau,’ which was set up immediately after the May 16 coup d’?tat in 1961. The 6th Bureau was responsible for monitoring and investigating academic institutions and was known within the CIA for harsh torture and interrogations. After the Agency moved out, Seoul City purchased the building in 1995, used it as the Namsan 2nd Office of Seoul City Hall, and through the Namsan Yejangjarak regeneration project, demolished all above-ground structures except the basement in August 2016.

Starting in March, the ‘Memorial Hall’ will present video exhibitions reconstructing memories of the former ‘Central Intelligence Agency 6th Bureau’ through actors’ performances and interviews with witnesses. Visitors can walk along the pedestrian bridge in the center of the park from Myeongdong to Namsan Park and Namsan Hanok Village. The artificial stream ‘Saetjarak Rest Area,’ which revives traces of the small stream that once flowed along Namsan’s slope, offers a place to rest while remembering Namsan’s old ecology. The underground passage at the entrance of the former Namsan No.1 Tunnel, where cars used to pass, has been transformed into a ‘pedestrian-only tunnel’ since 2018, connecting Myeongdong Station to Namsan Yejangjarak.

Meanwhile, part of the underground space beneath the green park is under construction for the final phase of the Namsan Yejangjarak regeneration project: the ‘Udang Memorial Hall.’ This space, opening in May, honors Udang Lee Hoe-young, who devoted his entire fortune to founding the ‘Shinheung Military Academy,’ an independence army training school, and dedicated his life to the country’s independence.

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