Ministry Issues Final Suspension Order to Seoul City
City to Comply with Administrative Procedures Required by National Land Planning Act
"Safety Measures Will Be Completed on Time Without Issues"
The Seoul Metropolitan Government expressed deep regret on March 3 regarding the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s final notice ordering the suspension of construction of the “Garden of Gratitude.”
On the same day, the ministry announced that it had confirmed the “Garden of Gratitude” project, currently being developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government at Gwanghwamun Square, was in violation of the National Land Planning and Utilization Act and the Road Act, and thus ordered the city to halt construction.
The ministry explained that it had issued a preliminary suspension order after verifying that the project violated relevant laws, and that it reached its decision after hearing the city’s opinion and conducting a site inspection.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, on February 23, the city sent an official response to the ministry stating, “The Garden of Gratitude project is an exclusive authority of the Seoul Metropolitan Government under the Local Autonomy Act. However, we will fully respect the ministry’s position and immediately supplement the procedures prescribed by the National Land Planning and Utilization Act.”
The response also included a commitment to carry out administrative procedures to address the issues raised by the ministry, such as: ▲ preparing and announcing an implementation plan for the construction of the aboveground symbolic structure and ▲ amending the urban management plan and preparing and announcing an implementation plan for the underground media space.
In addition, the city requested the ministry’s prudent decision, emphasizing that certain construction work must continue until the safety of the site is ensured in order to prevent accidents during the thawing season.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, “Nevertheless, the ministry issued the final suspension order on March 3 without recognizing the exclusive authority of the local government.”
However, the city added, “We welcome the fact that the ministry partially accepted the need for the city’s safety measures, and excluded the construction of the underground exhibition hall’s top slab and reinforcement of the underground exterior wall from the suspension order, allowing these safety measures to be completed by March 20. We will ensure these permitted safety procedures are completed on time and will thoroughly manage on-site safety.”
The city also plans to promptly proceed with the administrative procedures required by the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, including ▲ preparing and announcing an implementation plan for the aboveground symbolic structure and ▲ amending the urban management plan and preparing and announcing an implementation plan for the underground media space.
Kim Changgyu, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Balanced Development Headquarters, stated, “Although we regret the suspension order, we will swiftly carry out the administrative procedures and resume the project as soon as possible. We will do our utmost to ensure citizen safety and the completion of the Garden of Gratitude at Gwanghwamun Square.”
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