Seoul to Seek Solution After Administrative Review on Jongmyo Shrine Redevelopment Impact Assessment Order

View of Jongmyo Shrine and Sewoon District 4 in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that it will seek a solution after an administrative review in response to the Cultural Heritage Administration's order to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for the redevelopment project in front of Jongmyo Shrine.

On May 7, the city stated, "With regard to the official document titled 'Order to Implement Measures Necessary to Protect World Heritage Jongmyo Shrine and Its Historic and Cultural Environment,' we will conduct an administrative review centered on protecting the rights and interests of Seoul citizens and the autonomy of local government, and then work with the Cultural Heritage Administration to find a reasonable solution."

The previous day, the Cultural Heritage Administration had sent the official document to the city government and Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH), among others. The Cultural Heritage Administration instructed the city to complete both the heritage impact assessment and all review procedures before proceeding with project implementation approval, and demanded that the necessary measures be taken. For SH, which is the project operator for Sewoon District 4, the Administration ordered the company to supplement its business plan after having the impact of the redevelopment project on Jongmyo Shrine assessed.

The city government stated, "We deeply recognize the necessity of preserving the World Heritage Jongmyo Shrine, and believe that the value of a World Heritage site should not leave the city to stagnate or decline, but rather must coexist with citizens’ lives, the local economy, and the urban environment." However, it also emphasized, "It is also a critical administrative responsibility that we cannot abandon to properly advance the Sewoon District 4 redevelopment project, which has been stalled for over 20 years, and to protect the rights and interests of residents."

The government further stated, "Going forward, we will strive to find a reasonable solution that allows for the preservation of Jongmyo Shrine's value and the recovery of urban functions to coexist."

Previously, when the city eased height restrictions in Sewoon District 4 to 98.7 meters along the Jongno side and 141.9 meters along the Cheonggyecheon side, the Cultural Heritage Administration demanded the withdrawal of the measure, arguing that it would damage the view of Jongmyo Shrine. In addition, in March, the Administration filed a police report, claiming that SH had excavated the land up to approximately 38 meters deep without authorization, even though archaeological investigations had not yet been completed.

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