Construction Within 500 Meters of Jongmyo Requires Approval from National Heritage Administrator

Re-legislation of the World Heritage Act Enforcement Decree
Four-week notice period begins December 12

Yonhap News Agency

The Cultural Heritage Administration, together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is seeking solutions to the issue of high-rise redevelopment in front of Jongmyo Shrine. On December 10, Commissioner Heo Min of the Cultural Heritage Administration held a press conference at the Seoul Government Complex and announced, "A director-level preliminary coordination meeting was held on December 5." This marks the first official consultation among the three agencies since the controversy over the redevelopment of Sewoon District 4 in front of Jongmyo Shrine emerged.

Six director-level officials from the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism attended the meeting. Commissioner Heo explained, "There has not yet been a concrete discussion on whether to conduct a World Heritage Impact Assessment. At this stage, we are sharing the overall direction in broad terms." Another preliminary coordination meeting is scheduled to be held. Afterwards, a ministerial-level coordination meeting involving Minister Choi Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul is also being considered.

The process of designating the Jongmyo World Heritage Zone will be completed within this month. Commissioner Heo stated, "The designation of the Jongmyo World Heritage Zone is in its final stage in accordance with Article 10 of the World Heritage Act." Once designated as a World Heritage Zone, the Cultural Heritage Administration will have a legal basis to request a World Heritage Impact Assessment for any development projects that may affect Jongmyo Shrine.

Regulations around Jongmyo Shrine will also be significantly strengthened. In particular, a new system will be introduced requiring approval from the Commissioner of the Cultural Heritage Administration for large-scale construction activities within a 500-meter radius of Jongmyo Shrine. Commissioner Heo said, "We have recently completed consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the proposed amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the World Heritage Act, and a four-week re-legislation notice will begin until January 20 next year." After review by the Ministry of Government Legislation, the plan is to officially announce the amendment by March next year. The current management radius, which was 100 meters, will be expanded to 500 meters to comprehensively manage various environmental impacts such as landscape damage, noise, air quality, light, and heat caused by large-scale construction projects.

Last month, Commissioner Heo met with Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, to directly explain the issue of high-rise development in Sewoon District 4. Director Assomo reportedly expressed "strong regret over the redevelopment plan," but also stated, "I trust the determination of the Korean government to respond and will cooperate."

Commissioner Heo said, "I provided a detailed explanation to UNESCO regarding the various situations surrounding Jongmyo Shrine since 1995 and the current government measures, and sought their understanding."

In mid-November, the Cultural Heritage Administration received an official request from UNESCO for an explanation regarding the redevelopment project in Sewoon District 4 and immediately requested a response from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. As of now, no official reply has been received from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.