The capital is as soon as once more the stage for a well-recognized political feud as Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s bid to assemble a high-rise reverse the UNESCO-listed Jongmyo Shrine has set off a recent spherical of sparring with the central authorities.
The confrontation is hardly unprecedented. It’s the newest — and maybe most consequential — chapter in Seoul’s lengthy historical past of political friction over marquee improvement tasks. It additionally underscores a broader dilemma town has struggled to resolve for many years over tips on how to pursue progress with out erasing the traces of its historic identification. This stress has repeatedly positioned the mayor’s drive for modernization at odds with the central authorities’s accountability to safeguard nationwide heritage.
The Sewoon redevelopment mission — now typically known as the “Jongmyo battle” — has grow to be a showdown between city renewal and cultural preservation. After Seoul moved to ease peak limits and allow buildings as much as 141.9 meters, cultural authorities warned that the plan might jeopardize the shrine’s World Heritage standing and took the matter to court docket. The Supreme Court docket sided with town, however the dispute continues.
This high-profile drama is the newest in a string of contentious megaprojects the place the Seoul metropolis authorities has seen politics collide over city improvement.
Pedestrians chill out alongside Cheonggye Stream in Jung District, Seoul, Nov. 4. Newsis
Cheonggye Stream restoration (2003-2005)
Conservative lawmakers, defending town’s improvement push, level to the Cheonggye Stream restoration as a case the place preliminary resistance gave method to broad public help. The mission, which revived the historic stream by downtown, dominated the acrimonious 2002 mayoral marketing campaign.
Earlier than his presidency, as a conservative mayoral candidate Lee Myung-bak campaigned on reviving Cheonggye Stream. His liberal opponent Kim Min-seok, now the prime minister, warned the mission would spark city chaos and be the “worst attainable pledge” for town.
Regardless of heated resistance — together with considerations over the displacement of impoverished residents and fears of extreme visitors gridlock — Lee pushed forward with the restoration. Breaking floor in July 2003, the two-year mission in the end adopted a nature-centered design that transcended Lee’s preliminary imaginative and prescient. Right this moment, the restored stream is broadly thought to be one among Seoul’s best-beloved public areas and a serious vacationer website.
A media facade is displayed on the outside of Lotte World Tower in Songpa District, Seoul, Oct. 5. Yonhap
Lotte World Tower (2009-2016)
One other high-profile improvement that drew sturdy political opposition from the liberal celebration was the development of Korea’s tallest constructing in Jamsil.
Lotte initially bought the location in 1988, however it took 21 years and repeated authorities critiques earlier than remaining approval was granted in 2009. Liberal and progressive lawmakers voiced fierce criticism and demanded complete security and safety critiques.
Critics argued that the deliberate 555-meter skyscraper might disrupt flight paths for navy plane utilizing close by Seoul Air Base, probably jeopardizing public security and nationwide safety. Then-Democratic Celebration of Korea spokesperson Lee Jae Myung, now president, issued a pointed critique, calling the approval “a transparent violation of the Structure threatening nationwide safety and civic rights.”
Regardless of years of pushback and controversy, the mission in the end obtained metropolis and central authorities approval. Right this moment, Lotte World Tower anchors town’s southeastern skyline.
The Seoullo 7017 pedestrian walkway connecting to the previous Seoul Station is seen in Jung District, Seoul, because the construction opened Oct. 28, 2020. Newsis
Seoullo 7017 (2017)
In the meantime, in periods when the liberal celebration held management of Seoul metropolis’s administration, the conservative celebration additionally opposed large-scale improvement. One notable case was Seoullo 7017, an elevated linear park constructed atop the previous Seoul Station overpass.
Initiated by progressive mayor Park Received-soon and impressed by New York Metropolis’s Excessive Line, the mission aimed to remodel the getting older 1970 flyover right into a pedestrian-friendly inexperienced hall. Whereas supporters highlighted its position in reconnecting the divided districts across the station and revitalizing native neighborhoods, critics from the conservative celebration warned of potential visitors congestion and financial hurt to close by companies.
Right this moment, Seoullo 7017 supplies a botanical promenade that includes native crops, providing residents and vacationers a particular city strolling expertise. Advocates credit score it for brightening and activating the neighborhood, whereas Mayor Oh has said that its efficiency falls brief and instructed the necessity for assessment of its future viability.
Ending touches are beneath method at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Jongno District, Seoul, Aug. 5, 2022. The plaza reopened the subsequent day, after a yr and 9 months of restructuring. Ko Younger-kwon
Gwanghwamun Sq. renovation (2020-2022)
One other main mission opposed by the conservative celebration is the event of Gwanghwamun Sq..
Initially envisioned by Mayor Park, the mission sought to remodel the center of Seoul into an accessible civic gathering spot. Park articulated this imaginative and prescient shortly after his 2011 by-election win, and by 2016 town launched a collection of public consultations and boards to refine the plan. Development began in 2020, following Park’s time period, and was lastly accomplished in 2022 beneath Oh’s tenure.
The mission provoked sharp criticism from the conservative bloc, which criticized it as wasteful “sq. cosmetic surgery” and accused metropolis officers of dashing selections with out due diligence. Regardless of considerations, many city planners, civic teams and Seoul residents have provided a optimistic evaluation since completion for bettering walkability and turning the plaza into an city oasis.
