[Seoul's Future] "Need to Rethink Space Around Cheongwadae... Cluster Development Required"

[Asia Economy Reporters Heo Kyung-jun, Kim Dae-hyun, Oh Gyu-min] Various opinions have emerged from different sectors on how to utilize the Blue House and its surrounding spaces after the presidential office relocation.

Jeong Jun-mo, former curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated on the 16th, "We should consider developing this area into a cultural cluster in light of the presidential office's move to Yongsan."

Jeong made these remarks at the ‘2022 Seoul Future Forum’ hosted by Asia Economy, held at Maehwa Hall on the 19th floor of the Press Center in Jung-gu, under the theme ‘The Future of Seoul, The Future of Seochon.’ He emphasized that the Blue House should be preserved as a cultural heritage through a complementary restoration where history and the present coexist.

Jeong explained, "Paris is designed radially centered around the Arc de Triomphe. Seochon can be developed as a visual culture hub through performing arts, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul branch located in Bukchon and Seochon, the Palace Museum, Seonjae Art Museum, and numerous galleries."

He added, "The concept of clusters has recently evolved to encompass both production and consumption, serving not only the culture of the local people but also attracting global visitors. It is transforming into cultural spaces that symbolize the city and enhance cultural status. I wonder how the Blue House could be utilized under this concept."

Furthermore, he said, "With the presidential office moving, the road in front of the Blue House has opened, creating a major flow connecting Bukchon and Seochon. I hope this opportunity will lead to the connection of the Blue House and Gyeongbokgung Palace, which have been separated east to west."

There was also an opinion that, since cultural spaces near the Blue House are already saturated, a university should be invited to the Blue House and its annex spaces.

Jeon Jun-mo, former Chief Curator of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, is attending the '2022 Seoul Future Forum' held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 16th, discussing the topic 'The Future of Seochon through Culture and Arts.' Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Jang Min-su, head of the Seochon Residential Space Research Association, said, "Cultural spaces in Seochon near the Blue House are already saturated. The Blue House has well-maintained natural environment and landscaping, and considering its history, it might be good to partially maintain and renovate the current facilities to invite a university."

He continued, "Looking at the Blue House site plan, it feels like a university campus. Considering Seochon's competitiveness, the option of inviting a university should be considered. Also, given that the Blue House Security Office and annex buildings are all connected, I think it can create new competitiveness."

Measures related to hanok (traditional Korean houses) in Seochon by the Seoul Metropolitan Government were also introduced. Kim Yoo-sik, head of the Seoul Hanok Policy Division, stated, "There are 660 hanok in Seochon, and 78% of them are used as residences."

He added, "Since 2001, Seoul has been supporting the repair and reconstruction costs of hanok. So far, 46.5 billion KRW has been provided, and in addition to hardware support, promotional content development is also offered. Seochon has been designated as an urban regeneration activation area, and an activation plan will soon be implemented."

He explained, "The plan is scheduled to be carried out until 2025, with major projects including repair support for hanok and landscape improvement, as well as creating safe pedestrian roads. The main contents include open spaces, rest areas, parking lot construction, and other living infrastructure projects."

There was also an opinion that the Blue House should become pedestrian-friendly. Kim Jeong-hyun, professor at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Hongik University, said, "It is necessary to make the area pedestrian-friendly so that Bukchon and Seochon can be well connected, and for the Gyeongbokgung and Blue House zones to be naturally linked. Other Joseon Dynasty sites could be symbolically restored."

He added, "The most important historical axis from Gwanghwamun Square to Gyeongbokgung, the Blue House, Bukaksan Mountain, and Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall) can be connected. We should look at the Blue House area broadly and complexly, enjoying related culture, performance halls, art museums, libraries, public facilities, and other recreational spaces."