Jamsil Jinju Resolves Cultural Heritage Issues and Normalizes Reconstruction... "General Sale Next Year"

Jamsil Jinju Reconstruction Site, Songpa-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The reconstruction project of Jamsil Jinju Apartments in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which was halted due to the discovery of cultural heritage at the construction site, has returned to its normal course. The issue was resolved by deciding to relocate and preserve the cultural heritage within the complex. The association plans to proceed with the project without delay, including launching general sales in the second quarter of next year.

According to Songpa-gu and the maintenance industry on the 16th, Jamsil Jinju Apartments are currently undergoing reconstruction work such as excavation. A Songpa-gu official stated, "If the Cultural Heritage Administration had decided to preserve the site in its original form, various changes including design modifications would have been necessary, but since it was decided to relocate and preserve it within the complex, the resumption of construction could proceed more quickly."

During the groundbreaking process last November, traces of residential sites from the Three Kingdoms period were discovered, leading to a temporary halt in construction. Among the approximately 110,000㎡ reconstruction area, about 2.3%, or 2,500㎡, revealed Baekje Hanseong period residential sites, pit houses (a residential style from the Three Kingdoms period), and post holes (holes dug in the floor of pit houses to erect pillars). In January of this year, the Cultural Heritage Administration conducted a detailed excavation survey and recommended preserving the site in situ, raising concerns about delays due to design changes and amendments to the project implementation approval.

While Songpa-gu Office initially resisted viewing the site as a kind of historic relic, it worked with the association to devise a plan to relocate and preserve the valuable cultural heritage as a park within the complex, in consultation with the Cultural Heritage Administration. Subsequently, after review by the Cultural Heritage Deliberation Committee, the Cultural Heritage Administration adopted a plan to relocate and preserve the artifacts in the children's park within the complex, which is scheduled to be donated.

Relocation preservation refers to completing the excavation survey, preserving records, and then reconstructing the relics identically at another location. A Songpa-gu official said, "The replica of the relics has been moved to Hwaseong City for storage, and construction resumed in June," adding, "Once construction is completed and the park is established, the relics will be relocated back to the complex for preservation."

The association stated that with the project back on track, it will proceed with the scheduled project procedures. As of July, the overall progress rate was about 2.36%. An association official said, "Considering the schedule for members' application changes, general sales are expected in the second quarter of next year." The association had originally planned to launch general sales in the second half of this year. The Jamsil Jinju reconstruction project involves redeveloping 1,507 households built in 1980 into a complex of 2,678 households across 23 buildings with 35 floors above ground, with approximately 819 units expected for general sale.