Her Min, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, emphasized the need to find a balance between development and preservation regarding the housing supply plan at Taereung CC and the redevelopment controversy of the Seoun 4 area in front of Jongmyo Shrine. While keeping the possibility of developing Taereung CC open, he stated that the redevelopment in front of Jongmyo must adhere to existing agreements.
During a National Assembly audit of the Cultural Heritage Administration on October 8, Her responded to criticisms from lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party, who claimed that different standards were being applied to Taereung CC and Seoun 4. He asserted, "The Cultural Heritage Administration does not apply different criteria."
When lawmakers pointed out that it seems difficult to develop the Seoun area, which contains Jongmyo, while Taereung CC is viewed as acceptable for development, Her replied, "The Seoun 4 area can be developed according to the agreement made in 2018."
In response to a question about whether 6,800 housing units could be supplied at Taereung CC, he stated, "That is a matter for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to design. The 6,800 units are not our responsibility. We are discussing this based on a world heritage impact assessment." He clarified that the scale of housing supply is not a decision for the Cultural Heritage Administration.
The issue of the height of buildings in the Seoun 4 area, which the Seoul city government unilaterally raised from the previously agreed height of 72.9 meters to 145 meters, was also brought up. Her revealed that he has requested the city to cancel the approval for the change in the project plan without a world heritage impact assessment. He noted, "I have met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon four times regarding this matter," adding that the city has not responded significantly to the request for cancellation.
The relocation of facilities belonging to the Korea National University of Arts within the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty was also discussed. The government had promised to remove these facilities when pursuing the inscription of the royal tombs as a world heritage site in 2009, but has failed to fulfill this commitment after 17 years. In response, Her stated, "We have agreed to meet again with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on October 27," emphasizing the need to submit a relocation roadmap to the World Heritage Committee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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