Constitutional and Administrative Bodies to Jointly Host "Sejong National Symbolic District Forum"

Presenting a Sustainable Blueprint for a National Symbolic Space

The Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency, in collaboration with the offices of National Assembly members Kang Junhyun, Paek Jongmin, and Park Suhyeon, will host the "Sejong National Symbolic District Forum" on October 28 at the Kensington Hotel in Seoul, bringing together experts and citizens.

According to the agency, the forum is focused on exploring the fundamental direction for the development of the Sejong National Symbolic District. It also aims to provide guidance that can be referenced during the "International Competition for the Master Plan of the National Symbolic District in the Multifunctional Administrative City," which began on September 2. The event has been organized to broaden public and media understanding and interest in the Sejong National Symbolic District, as well as to build consensus on related policies among participants in the competition.

In particular, under the theme "How Can a City Symbolize a Nation?", experts will present policy proposals and engage in open discussions. The in-depth suggestions from the experts at the forum will be actively reflected in the establishment of the international competition's master plan for the National Symbolic District, with the goal of creating a new symbolic space for South Korea without delay.

The forum will be held in two sessions. In the first session, Hwang Jaehoon, a professor at Chungbuk National University, will present on "The Value and Vision of the National Symbolic District," while Lim Seokjae, a professor at Ewha Womans University, will speak on "Defining Korea’s Identity and Publicness Through History."

The second session will feature an in-depth panel discussion and Q&A with the presenters, as well as experts in the fields of urban planning, architecture, history, and landscape architecture, including Kim Donyun, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University; Song Hayeop, a professor at Chung-Ang University; Woo Dongseon, president of the Korean Architectural History Association; and Park Yunjin, CEO of Office Park Kim.

Choi Hyungwook, Director of the Facility Business Bureau, stated, "This forum is an important occasion to discuss how to spatially embody national identity and the spirit of the times."

In relation to this, the international competition for the master plan of the National Symbolic District will accept submissions until November 20. The winning entry will be announced in mid-December after a public participation vote and expert review. Based on the winning entry, an urban plan for the National Symbolic District will be established. Subsequently, the architectural design for the Presidential Sejong Office will be managed by the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency, while the architectural design for the National Assembly Sejong Branch will be handled separately by the National Assembly Secretariat.