Jongno District Supports Seoul’s Stance on Sewoon District 4 Redevelopment in Front of Jongmyo

by Kim Minjin

Published 12 Nov.2025 09:59(KST)

Amid growing controversy over the redevelopment of the Sewoon District 4 area in front of Jongmyo, Jongno District in Seoul (Mayor Jeong Munheon) stated on November 12 that "this project aims to preserve the value and identity of Jongmyo, protect the historical character of Jongno, and maintain the city’s aesthetics," adding, "We share the same position as the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno District. Provided by Jongno District Office.

The district office emphasized that "the core goal of the redevelopment is to establish a green corridor connecting Jongmyo to Namsan, creating a historical and cultural landscape, and to realize an urban skyline that harmonizes with Jongmyo."

Some experts and civic groups have expressed concerns and opposition to the plan to construct a 142-meter-tall skyscraper in Sewoon District 4, citing the potential damage to Jongmyo’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the destruction of the surrounding landscape. They argue that a high-rise building would be incompatible with the identity and harmony of the area in front of Jongmyo, and point to cases such as the revocation of Liverpool’s World Heritage status as grounds for their opposition.

Additionally, some residents are considering filing claims for damages against the government and the developer due to delays in the redevelopment, intensifying conflicts over issues related to their livelihoods.