Restoration Project of Changgyeonggung~Jongmyo Circle... Oh Se-hoon on Project Prolongation: "Everything Is a Matter of Will"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the restoration site connecting Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine and expressed regret over the project delays.

On the afternoon of the 27th, after receiving a briefing on the site situation at the top of the Yulgok-ro tunnel, Mayor Oh said, "I thought it would take at most 5 to 6 years. There are rarely projects that take more than 10 years, so this is significantly delayed," adding, "It's always a matter of will."

This project is a circular restoration effort to connect Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo, which were separated by Yulgok-ro, with green space. The area was once a continuous forest, but was divided in 1931 during the Japanese colonial period when Yulgok-ro was constructed.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand Yulgok-ro, a frequently congested section, from 4 lanes to 6 lanes, underground the road by building a tunnel, and create green spaces and pedestrian paths above the tunnel to connect Jongmyo and Changgyeonggung. The road and sidewalks are scheduled for completion in June this year, and the green space and pedestrian paths above the tunnel are targeted for completion next year.

Mayor Oh expressed regret, saying, "The Japanese built a road right through the middle of another country's royal palace," and added, "Every time I pass by, I wonder 'Will it be finished this year? Next year?' but now I hear it will take another year..."

He continued, "The upper part is not an immediately necessary space. We will prioritize vehicle traffic first and hurry to make it accessible for pedestrians as soon as possible," adding, "This is not about prioritizing previously promoted projects. Yulgok-ro is also linked to Gwanghwamun Square, so I am visiting places with urgent issues first."

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