On the afternoon of the 15th, marking the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day, an urgent press release was issued stating that the old Dokdo sculptures at subway stations will be reborn in time for Dokdo Day... The aging existing sculptures (City Hall Line 2 Station, Gimpo Airport Station, Itaewon Station) will be remodeled and newly presented to citizens, and for citizen safety, the Dokdo sculptures at Jamsil Line 2 Station, Anguk Station, and Gwanghwamun Station, which were dismantled, will be installed on walls as three-dimensional sculptures preserving their depth.
Seoul Metro Corporation is drawing attention by deciding to reintroduce the old Dokdo sculptures in subway stations on October 25, Dokdo Day.
On the afternoon of the 15th, marking the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day, the corporation urgently released a press statement titled "Old Dokdo Sculptures in Subway Stations Reborn in Time for Dokdo Day."
The corporation plans to remodel the aging existing sculptures (at City Hall② Station, Gimpo Airport Station, and Itaewon Station) and present them anew to the public. Additionally, the Dokdo sculptures that were removed from Jamsil② Station, Anguk Station, and Gwanghwamun Station for public safety will be installed on walls as three-dimensional sculptures to enhance their presence.
Since their installation in 2009, 15 years have passed, causing significant aging issues such as discoloration, deformation, and damage to protective facilities of the Dokdo sculptures at City Hall② Station, Gimpo Airport Station, and Itaewon Station. The corporation announced plans to fully remodel these sculptures and present them in a new form to citizens.
Furthermore, the Dokdo sculptures installed at six Seoul subway stations (Jamsil② Station, Anguk Station, Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall② Station, Gimpo Airport Station, and Itaewon Station) have suffered wear and tear from passengers' feet and belongings, as well as fading, leading to difficulties in maintenance.
In particular, following the Itaewon incident, improving congestion in subway stations became a social issue. The corporation explained that the Dokdo sculptures at Jamsil② Station, Anguk Station, and Gwanghwamun Station were removed because they obstructed passenger movement. However, they stated that three-dimensional Dokdo sculptures will be produced by a professional company and installed on walls. These wall-mounted sculptures will measure 1.5m by 1.1m and are planned to be newly installed in time for Dokdo Day (October 25).
The removal of Dokdo sculptures at Jamsil② Station, Anguk Station, and Gwanghwamun Station was part of proactive safety measures addressing subway congestion, the corporation explained.
At Jamsil Station, anticipating a significant increase in congestion due to the opening of the Byeollae Line of Subway Line 8 on August 10, it was judged that passenger movement safety could be compromised, leading to the decision to remove the Dokdo sculpture installed in the concourse.
At Anguk Station and Gwanghwamun Station, the sculptures were severely damaged and left unattended for a long time. With the surge in tourists following the recovery from COVID-19, the decision was made to remove the sculptures to improve congestion in the underground stations.
President Baek Ho stated, "The corporation decided to remove the Dokdo sculptures to ensure citizen safety in anticipation of congestion, but we apologize for causing confusion by not meeting the heightened awareness of the stations among citizens. We will remodel the old and aging Dokdo sculptures and, for stations where sculptures were removed to secure movement paths, produce three-dimensional Dokdo sculptures to be installed on walls, striving to meet citizens' expectations."
This prompt response is interpreted as a reaction to some media outlets critically reporting on the corporation’s removal of the Dokdo sculptures.
It is understood that the corporation responded quickly because the situation could be perceived differently from their intentions. Especially with the Liberation Day events held in two parts, they judged it was best to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
President Baek Ho, a former Seoul city press officer, is expected to be praised for his political judgment and effective handling of the situation.
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