Seoul's Jung District sends residents' opposition to UNESCO listing of city wall
In short
Seoul's Jung District said on the 21st that it had passed on a statement signed by about 3,500 residents opposing the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of "Hanyang's Capital Fortress". Residents fear that heritage impact assessments would delay redevelopment and limit property rights. The statement went to Seoul city on the 13th and to the national heritage agency, UNESCO and ICOMOS on the 20th.
Read the full story 3 min read
Jung District in Seoul said on the 21st that it had delivered to several bodies a statement opposing the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of "Hanyang's Capital Fortress". According to the district, the statement went to Seoul city on the 13th and to the Korea Heritage Service, UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on the 20th. It carries the signatures of about 3,500 residents and sets out their worries about delayed redevelopment and limits on property rights. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
In January, Seoul city, the Korea Heritage Service and others filed a nomination dossier with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for the fortress, which covers Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong and Tangchundaeseong. The Hanyangdoseong section in Jung District runs from Gwanghuimun through Dasan-dong and Namsan to Sungnyemun. Korea Economic Daily reported that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is to decide on listing next July in Turkiye. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Residents' main concern is the heritage impact assessment (HIA) that would apply after listing. The district says a zone within 100 m of the site would become a buffer zone where an assessment is mandatory for construction and redevelopment, and that the procedure takes 1 to 3 years on average. It adds that the Korea Heritage Service can request an assessment even for projects outside the buffer zone, and that stretches where the wall no longer stands could also be reviewed depending on the preservation of underground remains or how the site boundary is set. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
The district named Sindang districts 9, 10 and 13, the Namsan Town remodelling, and redevelopment around Gwanghui-dong, DDP and Seosomun as projects that could be affected. It said new construction and extensions of ordinary buildings in Dasan-dong, Jangchung-dong and Sindang-dong would also face new rules. A Jung District official quoted by Kyunghyang Shinmun, and the district as relayed by Newsis, said Gongju's Gongsanseong, after listing, was asked to make large changes to nearby redevelopment plans, which were delayed by about three years. Maeil Business and Korea Economic Daily also reported this. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Jung District said it held a briefing at the residents' request at the Sindang Nuri Center on 3 September. About 200 residents attended, and they handed in the opposition statement and the signature list there. A second briefing is planned for 5 November to share progress since the statement was delivered and gather further opinions. Kim Gil-seong, head of the district, said preserving cultural heritage is important but that improving the housing environment of residents who have long prepared redevelopment is also an administrative duty, and that the district would make sure their concerns reach the agencies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Maeil Business and Korea Economic Daily reported that Seoul city is gathering opinions on the nomination for two months from the 13th. Korea Economic Daily added that the city plans two briefings next month for residents of the seven districts the wall passes through. Chosun Ilbo noted that Seoul city is pursuing the Sewoon District 4 development in front of Jongmyo while the Korea Heritage Service says an impact assessment is needed because of the effect on Jongmyo's landscape. Korea Economic Daily described that dispute as an earlier example of heritage conservation clashing with redevelopment in central Seoul. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The outlets present the dispute as a clash between heritage protection and urban redevelopment in central Seoul. A second residents' briefing is set for 5 November, and Seoul city has opened its own consultation on the nomination.
Key facts
- Jung District said on the 21st that it delivered a residents' statement opposing the World Heritage nomination of 'Hanyang's Capital Fortress' to Seoul city on the 13th and to the Korea Heritage Service, UNESCO and ICOMOS on the 20th. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The statement carries the signatures of about 3,500 residents. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- In January, Seoul city, the Korea Heritage Service and others filed a nomination dossier with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for the fortress, which covers Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong and Tangchundaeseong. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The district says that if the site is listed, a zone within 100 m becomes a buffer zone where a heritage impact assessment is mandatory for construction and redevelopment, taking 1 to 3 years on average. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The district named Sindang districts 9, 10 and 13, the Namsan Town remodelling and redevelopment around Gwanghui-dong, DDP and Seosomun as projects that could be affected. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Jung District will hold a second residents' briefing on 5 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jung District delivered the residents' statement opposing the nomination to Seoul city on the 13th and to the Korea Heritage Service, UNESCO and ICOMOS on the 20th, with about 3,500 signatures. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Residents were told of the nomination status and its effect on redevelopment at a briefing on 3 September, attended by about 200 people, where they handed in the statement and signature list. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- Jung District head Kim Gil-seong said preserving cultural heritage is important but that improving the living environment of residents who have long prepared redevelopment is also an administrative duty, and that the district would make sure residents' concerns reach the agencies. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Seoul city began a two-month (60-day) opinion-gathering period from the 13th on the nomination. [ 5 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- Whether listing would actually delay projects by the periods cited. The 1 to 3 year assessment time and the roughly 3-year delay at Gongju Gongsanseong are presented as the district's or residents' account; no independent assessment is given.
- When the final listing decision is made. Only Korea Economic Daily says the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will decide in Turkiye next July.
- How the Korea Heritage Service, UNESCO, ICOMOS and Seoul city will respond to the statement. The documents report no response from them.