Seoul’s Plan for a 145m Tower by Jongmyo Sparks Heritage vs. Development Clash
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Seoul announced a sudden zoning change to allow a 145-meter high-rise in Sewoon District 4, directly in front of Jongmyo (a UNESCO-listed royal shrine), igniting nationwide concern over cultural heritage preservation versus urban development. The city doubled the previously agreed maximum height from 72m without major public explanation during the APEC summit, prompting criticism of an “owl-style” stealth notice. Culture Minister Choi said the planned tower would “block the sky” above Jongmyo; the national heritage agency and the Culture Ministry oppose the project and pledge legal measures to stop it. The dispute highlights long-standing tensions exemplified by past damage to Baekje-era Pungnap Toseong (an ancient earthen fortress) during construction, the limits development can place on protecting historic sites, and property owners’ complaints about lost potential profits. It also clashes with President Lee Jae-myung’s cultural-growth agenda, which prioritizes investment in K-culture and cultural industries. The row underscores the need for better coordination between the central government and Seoul’s municipal administration to balance heritage conservation, equitable regional development, and urban revitalization without sacrificing irreplaceable cultural assets.
