Former President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong Residence to Become a National Heritage Site

Park Kangsoo's Two-Year Effort Nears Fruition
Memorial Hall for Kim Dae-jung to Be Established Through Preservation Committee

Mapo District in Seoul (headed by Mayor Park Kangsoo) is on the verge of seeing the results of two years of efforts to register the former residence of President Kim Dae-jung in Donggyodong as a National Registered Cultural Heritage.

Park Kangsoo, Mayor of Mapo District, is examining the information board erected on the honorary road Kim Daejung-gil. Provided by Mapo District.

The Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Subcommittee of the National Heritage Administration conditionally approved the proposal to register the former President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong residence as a National Registered Cultural Heritage during a review meeting held on October 28. As a result, the final decision on the registration will be made after a conclusive review.

This decision paves the way for the Donggyodong residence, where former President Kim Dae-jung lived from the 1960s until just before his passing and which became a symbol of the democratization movement and national unity, to be preserved at the national level.

Since last year, Mapo District has consistently emphasized the need to preserve the residence. After the property was sold to a private owner in July last year, Mayor Park Kangsoo held several discussions with the current owner to explore preservation measures. In November of the same year, with the owner's consent, the district submitted an application for registration as a National Registered Cultural Heritage.

In addition, Mapo District established the "Committee for the Preservation of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong Residence" to discuss preservation plans and utilization measures. The committee includes Park Kangsoo, Mayor of Mapo District; Bae Giseon, Secretary-General of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation; and Kim Jongdae, a family member of the late President Kim Dae-jung.

Mapo District also worked to improve the surrounding environment of the residence. In November last year, a 140-meter road near the residence was designated as the honorary road "Kim Daejung-gil" to enhance its symbolic significance.

The conditional approval by the Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Subcommittee signifies the official recognition of the Donggyodong residence's value as a historic site of Korean democracy, beyond its role as a private residence. After the public announcement, there will be a 30-day period for public feedback, followed by a final review by the subcommittee to determine the registration status.

Once the registration is finalized, Mapo District plans to continue operating the "Committee for the Preservation of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Residence" in consultation with the current owner, and to actively promote the creation of a Kim Dae-jung Memorial Hall and democracy education programs for youth.

Mayor Park Kangsoo stated, "Former President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong residence is an important site for Korean democracy and holds great historical significance. Mapo District's direct involvement in its preservation is an expression of our pride in the region and our sense of duty to the times." He added, "This decision marks the first step in passing on President Kim Dae-jung's spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness, peace, and dialogue to future generations. We will spare no administrative support to ensure that the Donggyodong residence becomes a representative modern and contemporary cultural heritage of Mapo District."

At the meeting of the Committee for the Preservation of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Donggyodong Residence, Park Gangsoo, Mayor of Mapo District (sixth from the right), and the committee members reaffirmed their strong determination to preserve the residence. Provided by Mapo District.