The Oldest 'Chungjeong Apartment' in Korea Enters History

Creation of Public Notice After Demolition
Residence of Americans After Liberation
Called by Various Names Including Pungjeon Hotel and US Military Apartments

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Chungjeong Apartment, the oldest existing apartment in Korea, is disappearing into history. A small rest area with historical significance will be created on part of the site of this apartment, which was also the setting for the Netflix drama "Sweet Home."

On the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it held the 7th Urban Planning Committee meeting the previous day and approved a revised decision on the "Mapo-ro District 5 Urban Maintenance-type Redevelopment Project Maintenance Area and Maintenance Plan Change." A city official explained, "The building had deteriorated to the point of receiving a safety grade D, and considering the residents' opposition, this decision was made."

This area is located in Chungjeongno 3-ga and Hapdong in Seodaemun-gu, and Jungnim-dong and Sunhwa-dong in Jung-gu. With this decision by Seoul, Chungjeong Apartment, known as the oldest apartment complex in Korea completed in 1937, will be demolished, and part of the area will be developed into a public open space. It was the first apartment in Korea built with reinforced concrete, with records indicating it was constructed in 1932.

The promotion of the Chungjeong Apartment maintenance project had been a long-cherished wish for the residents of this area. The Redevelopment Promotion Committee of Mapo-gu District 5, Zone 2 requested the complete demolition and redevelopment of the building, but in 2019, the city announced it would preserve it as a cultural facility due to its value as an important cultural asset. At that time, the city proposed providing incentives such as increased floor area ratio and building height to ensure the redevelopment project's viability, in exchange for the donation and acceptance of the building as a cultural facility.

Constructed in the 1930s by the Japanese Toyota as a four-story reinforced concrete structure, this building has undergone several name changes and turbulent times. Although records of the construction year vary, it is estimated to have been newly built in 1937 according to the building register.

According to records after liberation, Chungjeong Apartment was designated as the "Tremor Hotel." When Seoul was under U.S. military administration, this place was used as a residence for Americans. It was called by various names such as Pungjeon Hotel, Pungjeon Apartment, and U.S. Military Apartment.

After the Korean War, Chungjeong Apartment was transferred to the Korean government and awarded to a person who lost six sons during the war under the Syngman Rhee administration, along with a merit medal. The owner expanded the building from four to five stories and operated it as the "Korea Tourism Hotel." However, in 1962, the following year, his story was revealed to be a fraud, the hotel closed, and the government reclaimed it. In the 1970s, the name was changed to "Yurim Apartment," and after the 1980s, it was renamed "Chungjeong Apartment" after the Chungjeongno area.

Nearby Chungjeonggak will undergo preservation maintenance-type redevelopment to allow development while considering preservation. Built in the early 1900s, Chungjeonggak is the only Western-style building remaining in Seoul with a turret, and its original form is well preserved, recognizing the need for conservation.