[Interview] Kim Young-jong, Jongno District Mayor: "Songhyeon-dong Site is the Best Location for the '(Tentative Name) Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall' Combining Forest and Culture"

Claims of Optimal Location as Korea's Leading Cultural and Artistic Hub, Linked with Nearby National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Recently Opened Seoul Craft Museum, and Numerous Galleries and Workshops Concentrated in Samcheong-dong, Insadong, and Bukchon

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “Songhyeon-dong in Jongno-gu is the location where the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee once planned to build an art museum but gave up. It is adjacent to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the recently opened Seoul Museum of Craft Art, and is surrounded by numerous galleries and workshops concentrated in Samcheong-dong, Insadong, and Bukchon, making it a cultural and artistic hub representing South Korea. Moreover, it is the only place with several advantages, including easy access via public transportation, contributing to the popularization of culture and arts.”

Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu, said this in an interview with this publication, noting that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected Songhyeon-dong in Jongno-gu as one of the leading candidate sites for the construction of the National Donation Lee Kun-hee Collection Hall (hereinafter referred to as the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall).

Mayor Kim stated, “Songhyeon-dong in Jongno-gu has long been a space deeply connected to Korea’s historical identity, linking Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, and Bukchon. Therefore, it should be used as a public space befitting this significance.” As a way to utilize the area, he has proposed creating a forest and cultural park that residents can share. Mayor Kim added, “If the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall is established here, it will truly become the optimal location in Korea, creating a synergy effect of forest, historical culture, and art. We warmly welcome its establishment.”

He also mentioned that since the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has designated Songhyeon-dong as a leading candidate site, Jongno-gu is reviewing various measures to ensure the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall can be hosted here.

First, he expressed willingness to actively support the formation of a “(tentative name) Lee Kun-hee Jongno Donation Hall Private Promotion Committee,” consisting of various influential figures from the cultural and artistic sectors.

After the formation of the private promotion committee, they plan to support a free public discourse process targeting various social groups through joint statements, promotional campaigns, surveys, and forums that emphasize the necessity of hosting the donation hall in Songhyeon-dong, aiming to gain nationwide consensus.

Mayor Kim said, “Not only Jongno-gu but many cultural and artistic figures share the same will and are requesting the establishment of the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall in Songhyeon-dong.” He added, “I hope the Songhyeon-dong site will be reborn as a dignified space harmonizing the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall and a forest park for citizens, loved by many people both domestically and internationally.”

Alongside this, Mayor Kim is promoting various policy projects for residents who have been enduring difficult times due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, as he approaches the last year of the 7th local government term. Examples include free meal support for underprivileged elderly, operation of cooling shelters, provision of ice water to prepare for heat waves, and other policies closely related to residents’ daily lives. He is also making efforts toward sustainable projects for Jongno’s future, such as the carbon diet eco-friendly reusable cup initiative. He hopes these efforts will yield good results.

Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “I will continue to diligently carry out the work that has been steadily built over the past decade during the remaining term to create a city where residents are happy.”

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