Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, Discusses Cultural Heritage Registration with Buyer of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Residence

Promise of Cooperation for the Purchase of Late President Kim Dae-jung's Residence, Preservation of Its Original Form, and Cultural Heritage Registration
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyo-dong Residence Is a Historical and Cultural Asset for Everyone"

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, met directly with the purchaser of the late President Kim Dae-jung’s Donggyo-dong residence on the afternoon of October 22 at the Mapo District Office policy meeting room to discuss opinions on registering it as a cultural heritage site.

The Donggyo-dong residence is where the late President Kim Dae-jung, the first Korean Nobel laureate and a monumental figure in the development of democracy in the Republic of Korea, and the late Mrs. Lee Hee-ho lived for over 50 years. It holds deep significance as a space encompassing modern and contemporary Korean history.

In response, Mayor Park Gang-su emphasized to the purchaser the historical significance and importance of preserving the late President Kim Dae-jung’s Donggyo-dong residence and strongly urged the necessity of registering it as a national registered cultural heritage.

He further stressed that Mapo District would actively take the lead to ensure that the Donggyo-dong residence could become a memorial hall or educational center to honor the late President Kim Dae-jung’s will and widely promote his achievements.

He also announced plans to create an honorary road named “Kim Dae-jung-gil” linked with the Hongdae Red Road to make it easier for many residents and tourists to visit the Donggyo-dong residence, along with installing guide signs throughout the area.

On that day, the purchaser, who had a deep discussion with Mayor Park Gang-su about President Kim Dae-jung’s residence, shared the same position with Mapo District regarding the high historical preservation value of the Donggyo-dong residence and promised cooperation for its registration as a national registered cultural heritage.

Mayor Park Gang-su said, “I sincerely thank the person who purchased the Donggyo-dong residence for sharing the same vision with Mapo District,” and added, “Mapo District will do its utmost to ensure that the Donggyo-dong residence, a symbol of Korea’s democratization and peace, becomes a historical and cultural asset that everyone can enjoy together.”

Mapo District plans to request support from the government and Seoul City for the original preservation and cultural heritage registration of the Donggyo-dong residence and will focus administrative efforts on its continuous management.