Seoul Begins Supplementing Procedures for Halted "Gratitude Garden" Project

Implementation procedures for above-ground symbolic structures to be carried out
"Procedures to be immediately supplemented in respect of the ministry's opinion"
Seoul City: "Safety accidents feared if construction is halted"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun work to supplement the administrative procedures for the "Gratitude Garden" currently being created at Gwanghwamun Square. This follows a recent order from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to halt construction on the grounds that related laws had been violated.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 25th, the city has decided to carry out the procedures for preparing and publicly announcing an implementation plan for the construction of above-ground symbolic structures within the Gratitude Garden.

Aboveground portion of the "Garden of Gratitude" that Seoul City will create at Gwanghwamun Square. Provided by Seoul City

Previously, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport pointed out that, under the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, when installing above-ground symbolic structures in urban planning facilities, the implementation plan must be revised and prepared, and this revision must be publicly announced. The city had originally planned to create an underground pedestrian space enabling real-time communication with the participating nations, but then changed the project plan to install a media wall instead. The city did not revise the implementation plan, in line with existing practice, when improving the functions of an already completed urban planning facility.

A Seoul Metropolitan Government official explained, "There have been differences of opinion with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the Gratitude Garden project at Gwanghwamun Square and the interpretation of the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, but we have decided to immediately supplement the procedures stipulated in the Act, respecting the ministry's position as much as possible."

As of January, the Gratitude Garden was 55% complete. If construction is halted at this stage, there are concerns about major safety accidents due to ground weakening and structural instability, especially as the thawing season approaches. Accordingly, the city takes the position that it is necessary to complete a minimum structural framework to block rainwater inflow and prevent ground subsidence, and that some construction processes must therefore proceed.

The city added that slabs (beams) have been removed for the building work, and that construction must continue at least until these are restored in order to ensure safety. At present, the structure is supported by temporary props. To prevent loss of life and minimize unnecessary fiscal losses, the city has requested the cooperation of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport so that safety measures at the construction site can be implemented. The city plans to submit an additional opinion letter to the ministry after compiling the views of the contractor, the construction supervision team, and outside experts.

At a New Year press conference on the 10th, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon stated, "The authority to finalize and announce the implementation plan for the Gratitude Garden lies with the Mayor of Seoul. Even conceding the point and assuming there are procedural shortcomings, the common-sense approach would be to say they should be supplemented and the project should proceed," adding, "Anyone can see that stopping construction over minor issues in the details amounts to an excessive abuse of authority."