UNESCO World Heritage Committee Requests Joint Inspection of 'Jangneung Apartment'

"OUV Supported by Feng Shui Faces Negative Impact"
Advisory Committee Formation Requested, Updated Report Also Demanded

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has requested a joint inspection regarding the large-scale high-rise apartments built in the historical and cultural environment preservation area of Jangneung (章陵) in Gimpo. These so-called 'Royal Tomb View Apartments' were constructed without the Cultural Heritage Administration's approval, sparking controversy. The committee expressed concerns that the world heritage value could be damaged.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The World Heritage Committee will hold its 45th session in Saudi Arabia by the 25th of this month. Among the cultural heritage preservation agenda items to be discussed is the 'Joseon Royal Tombs.' According to the draft decision released ahead of the meeting, the committee stated regarding the Gimpo Jangneung issue that the feng shui supporting the site's 'Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)' could be negatively affected by the apartment construction. Referring to the results of an inspection conducted in March by an international advisory group (ICOMOS and ICCROM) around the Jangneung area, the committee expressed concern that similar situations currently under development or planned could occur in other heritage zones.

Gimpo Jangneung is one of the forty Joseon Royal Tombs listed as a World Heritage site. It enshrines King Wonjong, posthumously honored as the father of King Injo, and his wife Queen Inheon. The Joseon Royal Tombs are arranged feng shui-wise with a main mountain (jusan) behind and an ancestral mountain (josan) in front. The josan of Gimpo Jangneung is Gyeyangsan. With the development of a large apartment complex in Geomdan New Town, Incheon, the view is at risk of being obscured. The Cultural Heritage Administration claims that nineteen of the forty-four apartment buildings located in the preservation area were not reviewed. The construction companies argue there are no administrative procedure issues and have filed administrative lawsuits.

The committee urged the implementation of the advisory group's recommendations, calling for a comprehensive review of each component of the World Heritage site and the formation of an advisory committee involving local communities. They also requested the invitation of a joint monitoring inspection team composed of the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, and ICCROM, along with an updated report summarizing the preservation status and compliance with recommendations. The decision document will be finalized and delivered to the Korean government without separate discussion.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to exchange opinions with the committee and share information on the preservation status. Since the advisory group already conducted an inspection in March, the issue of inviting a joint inspection team will be discussed again. Meanwhile, they intend to complete the introduction of a 'World Heritage Impact Assessment' system, necessary for establishing a protection framework that meets international standards, along with the related legal and institutional revisions.

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