Construction Continues at Gwanghwamun Square... Seoul City Council: "Decision Ensures Consistency in City Administration and Reduces Citizen Confusion"

Choi Seon and Han Gi-yeong Spokespersons Evaluate “Mayor Oh’s Decision as a Result of Careful Consideration from Citizens’ Perspective”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced on the 27th that the Gwanghwamun Square restructuring project will proceed, but the current plan will be supplemented and improved to enhance its completeness. On the same day, Mayor Oh held a briefing at City Hall, stating, "We will respect administrative continuity as much as possible," and added, "It is the responsibility of the Mayor of Seoul to minimize problems and address shortcomings." The three major areas for improvement in the Gwanghwamun Square development project include strengthening historicity such as restoring the Woldae platform, utilizing statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong, and linking with surrounding sites and buildings. The photo shows a view of Gwanghwamun Square from the Press Center. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Council has evaluated Mayor Oh Se-hoon's decision to continue the Gwanghwamun Square construction project as "a decision made to reduce citizens' confusion and ensure the continuity of city administration."

On the 27th, spokesperson Choi Seon stated regarding Mayor Oh's conclusion to proceed with the Gwanghwamun Square construction as scheduled, "We believe this decision was made to reduce citizens' confusion and guarantee consistency and continuity in city administration."

Spokesperson Han Ki-young added, "Since the Gwanghwamun Square project has already begun after hundreds of public opinion surveys and administrative procedures, I have repeatedly emphasized that the decision should minimize citizen confusion and avoid wasting taxes as much as possible," and continued, "I think Mayor Oh's decision this time is a result of thorough consideration from the citizens' perspective."

The council also requested special efforts to ensure that the three supplementary measures, including the restoration of Woldae, minimize traffic inconveniences for residents, merchants, and commuting pedestrians near Gwanghwamun Square.

Earlier, Mayor Oh, during an emergency briefing in the morning, stated that halting the construction would result in a sunk cost of 40 billion won, and expressed his intention to create a more complete Gwanghwamun Square by supplementing three areas: 'historical significance,' 'storytelling,' and 'activation of surrounding connections.'

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