[The Future of Seochon](16) Kim Si-deok "Traces of Goryeo Namgyeong... I Want to Dig Beneath the Blue House"

Interview with Philologist Dr. Kim Si-deok: "Focusing Only on Joseon Is Unsatisfactory, Seoul's History Starts from Hanseong Baekje"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] The public opening of the Blue House has brought many changes to Seochon. The increase in visitors has led to a rise in foot traffic, and a new bus stop has been established in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Unlike in the past when the majority were young people, the age group has relatively increased.

The proportion of people in their 40s to 60s has noticeably risen. As visitors occupy the Blue House, the surrounding commercial district has rapidly changed. Convenience stores, restaurants, and Gyeongbokgung Palace are enjoying an unexpected boom, but convenience facilities such as laundries, which were mainly frequented by Blue House employees, are in a state of suspension.

Local residents are at risk of losing their living grounds as tourism capital may encroach upon Seochon. What changes are occurring, and what changes are expected? On the 10th, we met Dr. Kim Si-deok, a philologist who, like Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges who 'reads the city' by treating 'the world as a vast library,' at Dam Cafe in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to ask about the current status and anticipated changes in Seochon.

On the 26th, when the interior of the Blue House main building was opened to the public, citizens visiting the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, were taking photos in front of the main building. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

- The Blue House has been opened to the public. What do you think as an urban expert?

▲In fact, the Blue House was not as closed off as it is recently; it was closed after the Kim Shin-jo incident and is now reopening. It was originally a lively place. I hoped the Blue House would move to Sejong at this opportunity. It is currently located too far north. Given the entrenched division, I think the Blue House should move to Sejong and the Ministry of National Defense to Gyeryong. I see this as the first step in relocating the capital. There were reports of opposition from soldiers when the presidential office moved to the Ministry of National Defense. From what I heard, the opposition was greater among military civilian employees living in Seoul than among soldiers themselves. Soldiers are used to frequent moves anyway.

- Since the Blue House opened to the public, the number of visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace has also greatly increased. However, in the past, you said, “How long must we find Seoul’s identity within the Four Great Gates, specifically in the palace, which is now the stronghold of a failed ruling class?”

▲I view history from the perspective of commoners. I prioritize individuals over class, and class over nation. I do not believe national identity can be found in palaces. A humanities scholar once said, “Seoul is great because it has five palaces,” but that relates to the royal family and has nothing to do with commoners. Even now, only about 300,000 of Seoul’s 1 million residents live inside the Four Great Gates. I hope we move away from Four Great Gates centrism.

- Still, the historical value of Gyeongbokgung Palace seems significant.

▲Of course, I acknowledge its cultural heritage value. However, the restoration itself was flawed. After it was burned during the Japanese invasions of 1592, Heungseon Daewongun rebuilt it by squeezing the blood of the people. When it was restored again in modern times, it should have been done properly. It’s not about building a few buildings but restoring them densely and correctly. The palace museum should not be there either. It is different from the long-standing Changdeokgung and Deoksugung Palaces. It would have been better to leave even the excavated waterways like those at Hwangnyongsa Temple site in Gyeongju.

- What do you think about its value as a tourist attraction?

▲I have quite a few foreign friends, but they are not interested in large-scale setups. They often prefer Pimatgol in Jongno 4, 5, and 6-ga instead.

- As the Blue House, once an unknown area, opens, you must have high expectations as a scholar.

▲Since access was restricted, the Blue House Security Office once published a book titled “The Blue House and Surrounding History.” There are many Joseon Dynasty cultural assets within the Blue House grounds. However, I am dissatisfied that Seoul emphasizes only the Joseon period too much. Seoul city initially published a booklet calling it “600 years of Seoul” but later changed it to “2000 years of Seoul.” Seoul’s history starts from Hanseong Baekje. Joseon accounts for only about 500 years of that. Why should only that be considered special? What I want to know more about are traces from the Goryeo Dynasty. There must be many traces from when it was the southern capital, but nothing from before Joseon has surfaced. I believe there are traces under the Blue House. I want to dig beneath the Blue House.

Philologist Dr. Kim Si-deok

- Will the public opening of the Blue House be canceled if the government changes?

▲Currently, it is a partial opening, but if it becomes fully open, ordinary citizens will not want to reverse the opening. There is so much to see and the scenery is beautiful. I think it’s a shame it was closed for so long.

- What is your personal impression of Seochon?

▲Because it is tied up with various development restrictions, its potential as a residential area is limited. I hope the residential population in the Four Great Gates area increases, and this might be the first step. Other areas have turned into commercial zones, but Seochon is different. It is a good place to live. Especially people who like mountains like it. I hope height restrictions are eased. Above all, I want residents to be comfortable.

- It seems the perspectives of residents and local governments or tourism departments toward Seochon differ.

▲Local governments and tourism departments have focused more on turning it into a tourist spot than on residents’ convenience. The previous Seoul mayor was especially like that. He launched the Jongno-gu “Emptying the City” project. Telling people to empty their living spaces?what is that? Ultimately, it means turning it into a tourist area. Hanok villages should be developed when residents want them, not initiated by local governments. Rent only goes up. Instead of creating more where there is none, there are more tiled houses in Donam-dong, Samseon-dong, and Hyehwa-dong. If they are to be made, those places are better.

- Parking difficulties in Seochon are cited as a chronic problem.

▲Seochon became somewhat famous, so people with money opened galleries and such one after another. Narrow streets filled with luxury cars make it harder for residents to move around. You can feel this by taking Jongno Bus No. 9. Since parking enforcement authority shifted from the police to local governments, enforcement has become lax, possibly due to concerns about issuing tickets, making the situation worse.

- Recently, Seoul city announced plans to spend 10 billion won on Seochon maintenance projects.

▲10 billion won is insufficient. At least 300 to 500 billion won is needed. They need to build convenience facilities, pave roads, install city gas, and expand transportation networks connected to large hospitals. 10 billion won is nowhere near enough. They will build one center and do some road maintenance, and that’s it. Look at Haebangchon. Even with more funds invested, they only built a few parking lots and stopped.

- What is the desirable direction for Seochon’s development?

▲It is best if residents take the lead. Residents should gather opinions from building owners, landowners, owners, and tenants. Local governments should build underground parking lots, increase transportation facilities, and maintain insufficient streetlights. There is a place called Penguin Village in Gwangju, Jeollado. It was named because elderly people waddled like penguins in a poor neighborhood. The residents themselves carried out a cleanup campaign, but the city intervened and built a theme park. The result? Only rent increased. The same goes for Baedari in Incheon. Support should be given if residents want it, but residents must be the main actors.

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