'Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall' to Open in Songhyeon-dong, Seoul... Seoul City and Ministry of Culture and Sports Sign MOU on 10th

Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Minister Hwang Hee Attend Work Agreement Ceremony
9787㎡ Site Developed in Songhyeon-dong... Initiation of Land Exchange Procedures Between Songhyeon-dong Site and State-Owned Land

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 9th that the site in Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu has been confirmed as the location for the tentatively named ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall,’ which will preserve, exhibit, and research over 23,000 cultural assets and artworks donated by the family of the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee to the nation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the main body responsible for the construction of the ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall,’ finalized this agreement and signed a memorandum of understanding this morning with Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Minister Hwang Hee in attendance. The signing ceremony took place on the rooftop of the education building of the Seoul Craft Museum overlooking the Songhyeon-dong site, attended by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Minister Hwang Hee, and Kim Young-na, Chairperson of the ‘National Donation Lee Kun-hee Collection Utilization Committee.’

The ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall’ is planned to be built on the Songhyeon-dong site with a land area of 9,787㎡. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism aims to enter the international design competition process in the second half of next year, proceed with design and construction, and complete and open the facility by 2027.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism agreed that the Songhyeon-dong site is the optimal location for the donation hall considering accessibility and connectivity with surrounding historical and cultural resources. The Ministry conducted a research project to analyze the site location for the donation hall, and based on the research, the ‘Donation Utilization Committee’ reviewed and approved Songhyeon-dong as the final construction site.

Both organizations plan to closely cooperate in promoting the construction of the ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall,’ recognizing it as a major project that will enhance South Korea’s cultural competitiveness and expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for the public.

Starting with today’s agreement, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will begin the land exchange procedures for the construction site. Currently owned by Korean Air, the ownership of the Songhyeon-dong site is expected to be transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the first half of next year. Subsequently, the site will be exchanged for national land on an equal value basis. Additionally, a separate preparatory team consisting of officials from both the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry will be formed to discuss detailed matters necessary for the construction of the donation hall. They also plan to actively cooperate in major procedures such as urban planning facility decisions and integrated design competitions to ensure harmony between the Songhyeon-dong Cultural Park and the donation hall.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to develop the remaining Songhyeon-dong site into a cultural park so that citizens can enjoy diverse cultural and artistic experiences as well as relaxation simultaneously. In addition, by linking municipal facilities such as the Seoul Craft Museum and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with cultural and tourism resources in the Gwanghwamun-Songhyeon-dong area, they aim to create a world-class cultural and tourism district similar to the National Mall in Washington DC and Museum Island in Berlin.

Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, “This project should be approached at a national level as it can elevate South Korea’s national prestige as a cultural powerhouse,” adding, “Through the construction of the ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall,’ we will revitalize the culture and tourism industries, propel Seoul into the world’s top 5 cultural and tourism cities, and do our utmost so that people worldwide can experience the essence of our culture and South Korea can be reborn as a cultural powerhouse.”

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