A Symbolic Site of Democratization and House Arrest
"Kim Dae-jung House in Donggyo-dong, Seoul"
The Donggyo-dong residence of the late President Kim Dae-jung, a symbolic site of South Korea's democratization, will be designated as a national heritage.
The National Heritage Administration announced on the 28th that the Cultural Heritage Committee had conditionally approved the registration of the Donggyo-dong residence as a nationally registered cultural heritage. If the registration is finalized, its official name will be "Kim Dae-jung House in Donggyo-dong, Seoul."
Former President Kim established his home here in the early 1960s. Except for his periods of exile in the United States, study in the United Kingdom, and residence in Ilsan, he spent most of his life here until his passing in 2009.
The name of the political faction "Donggyodong Group" also originated from this place. During the military regime, this residence was where he was placed under house arrest fifty-five times.
Mapo-gu, Seoul announced that the road around the late President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong residence and the Kim Dae-jung Library will be named Kim Dae-jung-gil, and held a naming ceremony on the 20th. The residence of former President Kim is on the right in the photo. Photo by Huh Younghan
There was controversy over its preservation. After the passing of Lee Hee-ho in 2019, a dispute over the inheritance ensued, and last year the residence was sold to a private party. Mapo-gu obtained the consent of the new owner, formed a promotion committee, and applied for national heritage designation.
Initially, Mapo-gu applied under the name "Former President Kim Dae-jung's Residence," but during expert discussions, the name was adjusted to "Kim Dae-jung House in Donggyo-dong, Seoul" in accordance with naming guidelines. The National Heritage Administration plans to collect opinions from various sectors for 30 days, and then finalize the registration after a thorough review.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
