Gimpo Jangneung Apartment Cultural Heritage Committee Review Deferred Again (Comprehensive)

Received Improvement Proposal for Adjusting Apartment Height, Re-evaluated

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Cultural Heritage Committee has once again decided to postpone the review of the Incheon Geomdan New Town apartment project, which was constructed without permission in the Gimpo Jangneung Historical and Cultural Environment Preservation Area.

On the 9th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that during the third joint meeting of the Royal Tombs Cultural Heritage Subcommittee and the World Heritage Subcommittee held at the National Palace Museum, they discussed the proposed changes submitted only by Daebang Construction but decided to defer the review. Despite thoroughly examining the construction company's improvement plans and simulations prepared by the Cultural Heritage Administration, the review was postponed again. Previously, there had been two reviews regarding the proposed changes for the residential complex development at Gimpo Jangneung. Proposed changes refer to actions that alter the current state of cultural heritage and its surrounding environment. For nationally designated cultural properties, the Cultural Heritage Committee conducts the review.

The meeting was effectively a half-hearted review. Daekwang ENC (construction by Daekwang Geonyeong) and JS Global (construction by Geumseong Baekjo), which had undergone two prior reviews, withdrew their applications for proposed changes the day before. Geumseong Baekjo stated, "Incheon Urban Corporation, which obtained permission for proposed changes on the land in 2014, consistently confirmed that the housing project plans by the construction companies were legal," adding, "We intend to seek a court ruling on whether this matter falls under the scope of proposed change review."

The height limit for proposed changes in the historical and cultural environment preservation area of Gimpo Jangneung, a nationally designated cultural property and UNESCO World Heritage site, is 20 meters. The three construction companies built apartments between 70 and 80 meters high without submitting individual review applications. Looking ahead from the Jangneung tomb, the view is blocked by Gyeyang Mountain. According to the geomantic principles of Joseon royal tombs, a main mountain (Jusan) is located behind, and an ancestral mountain (Josan) is in front. For Gimpo Jangneung, Gyeyang Mountain is the Josan.

The Cultural Heritage Administration claims that nineteen of the forty-four apartment buildings, which total about 3,400 households, fall within the cultural heritage preservation area and did not undergo prior review, thus violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. On the other hand, the construction companies argue that Incheon Urban Corporation, which sold the apartment land in 2014, applied for the cultural heritage proposed change permit to Gimpo City Hall, so there is no issue. They request permission only for changes to the apartment exterior color and design.

The Cultural Heritage Committee believes that the value of Gimpo Jangneung cannot be maintained with the improvement plans that do not adjust building heights. In fact, the Joseon royal tombs, including Gimpo Jangneung, were recognized for their outstanding universal value during the World Heritage evaluation due to their unique nature-friendly burial traditions and tomb garden construction. An official stated, "Considering the perspectives of prospective apartment residents and the relationship with existing buildings comprehensively, height adjustment and improvement of the surrounding environment are necessary."

The Cultural Heritage Committee will receive improved plans adjusting apartment heights within two weeks and conduct another review. The standard is based on a viewing point 1.5 meters high from the Hon-yuseok (a rectangular stone placed in front of the burial mound), aligned below the skyline connected to the Samsung Sherville Apartments already built in the historical and cultural environment preservation area. This result was derived through simulation and is expected to improve the landscape. The official added, "Consultations with the Korea Society of Architectural Structure Engineers and the Korea Association of Construction Engineers concluded that partial dismantling of upper floors has minimal impact on the stability of lower structures." Regarding the initially proposed plan to block the apartments with trees, they said, "It would require heights of 33 to 58 meters, making it practically difficult."

The "2nd Royal Tombs-World Heritage Joint Subcommittee," which reviews the development of apartment complexes around the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site "Gimpo Jangneung," was held privately on the 28th at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to respect the Cultural Heritage Committee's resolution to maintain the World Heritage status of the Joseon royal tombs and protect the historical and cultural environment of Gimpo Jangneung. An official said, "UNESCO expressed concern about the landscape damage to the Joseon royal tombs and emphasized the need for careful consideration during surrounding development," adding, "Recently, UNESCO also requested information on the preservation and management status of Gimpo Jangneung through a letter." UNESCO designates World Heritage sites at risk of damage as 'World Heritage in Danger.' If it determines that the outstanding universal value has been lost, it can revoke the World Heritage status. For example, the Liverpool port in the UK, designated as 'World Heritage in Danger' in 2012, lost its World Heritage status this year.

Currently, construction on twelve apartment buildings by Daekwang ENC and JS Global has been halted since September 30, following a court ruling on the stop-work order issued by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Construction continues on seven apartment buildings by Daebang Construction, which are relatively farther from Jangneung.