Seoul City Says "Lawfulness Recognized... Sewoon District 4 Redevelopment to Proceed Smoothly" After Court Upholds Cultural Heritage Ordinance Amendment

"Ordinance Amendment Recognized as Lawful Action"
"Redevelopment Project for Sewoon District 4, Stalled for Over 20 Years, to Move Forward"

Bird's-eye view of Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion District. Seoul Metropolitan Government

Regarding the ruling that the resolution on the 'Partial Amendment to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinance' is valid, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "It has been recognized that the ordinance amendment was a lawful measure that faithfully followed the procedures prescribed by law," adding, "This has given us momentum to proceed without disruptions with the redevelopment project for Sewoon District 4, which has been stagnant for over 20 years."

On November 6, the city further explained, "We will do our utmost to respect and preserve the historical value of our cultural heritage, while also revitalizing the city center and securing Seoul's future competitiveness."

The city added, "We plan to create a large green axis park that will further highlight Jongmyo Shrine," and continued, "Through this, we aim to present a new urban paradigm where the past, present, and future coexist, and to elevate Seoul once again as a city recognized for its value and stature not only by its citizens but also by people around the world."

On this day, the First Division of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, declaring that the resolution on the partial amendment to the Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinance is valid in the lawsuit filed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism seeking to nullify the resolution. As a result, the 'Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Preservation and Utilization of National Heritage,' which was enacted as a replacement when the Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinance was repealed in May last year, has been confirmed as valid. Regulations on areas outside the Historic and Cultural Environment Preservation Zone (within 100 meters of nationally designated heritage sites) have been eliminated.

Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Council had pushed for the amendment, arguing that Article 19, Paragraph 5 of the Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinance constituted excessive regulation by allowing comprehensive and abstract restrictions even outside the Historic and Cultural Environment Preservation Zone, despite the absence of delegation from the higher Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

The amended ordinance was promulgated in October 2023. In response, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court in the same month, claiming that the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the city had violated the Cultural Heritage Protection Act by amending the ordinance without consultation with the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration (now the National Heritage Administration).

With this ruling, the redevelopment project for Sewoon District 4, located across from Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is expected to proceed without obstacles. On October 30, the city announced the 'Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion District and District 4 Redevelopment Promotion Plan,' which adjusts the maximum building height along Jongno from the existing 55 meters to 98.7 meters, and along Cheonggyecheon from 71.9 meters to 141.9 meters.

In response to concerns about damaging the view of Jongmyo Shrine, the city maintained that Sewoon District 4 is approximately 180 meters away from Jongmyo Shrine and thus not subject to regulation. Mayor Oh Sehoon also commented the previous day on the changes to the building height plan for District 4, stating, "Simulations show that no shadows will be cast," and added, "As the Sewoon Shopping Center is gradually demolished, private capital will be used to build new buildings and redevelop the area, and we are simply allowing for taller buildings in that process."