"'Samcheonggak' Seeks New Consignment Operator... Reannounced After 4 Years Due to Financial Difficulties"

Bid Period Until the 6th of Next Month... Estimated Price 3.6 Billion Won Over 5 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] 'Samcheonggak,' which was used for state guest receptions and meeting venues until 1975 and symbolized the so-called 'Yojung politics,' is seeking a new operating company.

According to Seoul City on the 24th, the city announced a management consignment notice for Samcheonggak in Seongbuk-gu on the 22nd. The bidding period is until the 6th of next month, and although the city issued consignment notices three times in 2016 and 2017, it failed to find a new operator.

The consignment target includes the main building Ilhwadang, five detached hanok buildings, two lawn yards, and a parking lot. The consignment period is five years from January next year to December 2026, and two of the detached hanok buildings must be operated as citizen open facilities for hanok experience and rest spaces.

The expected bid price is 3.6 billion KRW over five years, and the company that offers the highest bid above the expected price will be selected through a competitive bidding process. Seoul City plans to hold an on-site briefing session at the Ilhwadang lawn yard on the 29th.

Samcheonggak was built in 1972 in Bukaksan, Seongbuk-gu, and was used for national receptions and meeting venues until 1975. However, as 'Yojung politics' declined, it was converted into a general restaurant in 1997. Later, Seoul City purchased it for preservation and operated it as a traditional performance hall and Korean restaurant.

From 2009, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts took over operations, but management difficulties continued due to poor sales. Accordingly, Seoul City remodeled it again last year and this year and started looking for a new operator.

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