SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on Monday expressed regret over a decision to raise a height limit for buildings in Seoul's derelict district of Sewoon near Jongmyo Shrine.
The KHS had been in talks with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to adjust the height limit for the area, which is slated for redevelopment into an urban complex, but the city government abruptly decided last week to raise the limit from 71.9 meters to 145 meters.
The KHS worries that the change may diminish the historical and cultural value of the UNESCO World Heritage site, designated in 1995 for its unique architectural landscape and historical significance as a royal ancestral ritual space.
Under UNESCO's recommendations, which specify that no high-rise buildings should be permitted near the site to preserve its serene environment, the KHS urged Seoul to conduct relevant assessments before implementing any changes. Despite this, Seoul proceeded with the plan.
Once home to the country's first mixed-use apartment complex, the area later became a hub for electronic goods but fell into decline after new, shiny malls opened in Yongsan in the late 1980s. Today, it remains a rundown cluster of low-end electronics shops and dilapidated housing.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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