From Colonial Capital Development to Abandonment, Finally Opened to Citizens... Songhyeon-dong Site Opened After 100 Years

On the 7th, the site in Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul is being opened as a green plaza accessible to the public. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The 'Songhyeon-dong site' in Jongno-gu, which had been surrounded by high walls for over 100 years, was newly renovated and opened to the public on the 7th. Before the construction of the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall (tentative name), the entire site will be temporarily opened as a green plaza for about two years until December 2024.

This place is located right in the heart of Seoul inside the Four Great Gates, and although it is three times the size of Seoul Plaza (37,117㎡), the general public had not been able to see it for over a century. During the Joseon Dynasty, it surrounded Gyeongbokgung Palace and was mainly inhabited by royal family members. However, during the Japanese colonial period in 1910, the Chosen Industrial Bank's staff housing was built here, and a high wall about 4 meters tall was erected.

Even after liberation, until 1997, it was used as accommodation for US Embassy staff in Korea, and citizens were not allowed to set foot on the land. Ownership then transferred from the Korean government to Samsung Life Insurance, and later to Korean Air. In 1989, Samsung Life Insurance received ownership from the US and planned to build an art museum but withdrew and transferred ownership to Korean Air. After Korean Air took over, there were development issues at one point, as Korean Air planned to build a 7-star Hanok hotel here. However, the project was repeatedly blocked at the permit stage, and facing financial difficulties, Korean Air decided to sell, returning the site to public land.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government purchased the site through a three-party agreement with Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH) and Korean Air, returning it to the citizens. In early July this year, ownership was transferred from Korean Air to LH, and Seoul City is expected to acquire ownership soon through a land swap with the southern site of Seoul Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, which the city owns.

Through this park opening, the city lowered the 4-meter-high wall surrounding the entire site to a 1.2-meter stone wall and created a 10,000㎡ grassy plaza in the center. Around it, wildflower colonies such as cosmos and zinnias were planted.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace to Bukchon area, which was blocked by the Songhyeon-dong site, is now connected by internal walkways within the plaza. The pedestrian path crossing the plaza naturally connects Cheongwadae (Blue House) to Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insadong, and Bukchon alleyways.

On the 7th, the site in Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul is being opened to the public as an open green plaza. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall will be built here. This is the site to preserve over 23,000 cultural assets and artworks donated by the family of the late Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Group. In November last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Seoul City finalized the agreement on the Songhyeon-dong site. Of the approximately 30,000㎡ site, 9,787㎡ will be used for the donation hall, and the rest will be developed as a park. The Ministry and Seoul City agreed that the Songhyeon-dong site is optimal for the donation hall considering accessibility and connectivity with surrounding historical and cultural resources. The proximity to institutions like the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art also facilitates collaboration.

The site will close again in 2025 to begin work on transforming it into a cultural park including the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall. After two years of renovation, it is scheduled to open in 2027.

During the temporary opening period, the city will hold various cultural and artistic events. From May to October next year, the Seoul Architecture Biennale will be held. Discussions are also underway to hold 'Frieze Seoul,' a world-renowned art fair held for the first time in Seoul this year, at this site next year.

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