Seoul gov't drops giant flagpole plan amid public backlash

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday backpedaled on its plan to erect a 100-meter-long (328-feet-long) national flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul after public criticism of the project's excessive nationalism.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon explains how to design and refurbish Gwanghwamun Square as a space representing national identity during a press conference held at Seoul City Hall in central Seoul on Thursday. [NEWS1]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday backpedaled on its plan to erect a 100-meter-long (328-feet-long) national flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul after public criticism of the project's excessive nationalism.

During a press conference held in City Hall, central Seoul, on Thursday morning, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the city government would “accommodate public opinion and perspectives with an open mind so that the public could understand" the site's historical and cultural significance.

Oh added that the essence of his plan to create a space symbolizing the nation lies in “elevating public pride,” noting that the city will “deepen the meaning of the square” by erecting a structure that fits well with the area.

Although the city government canceled its original June 25 plan to install the gigantic flag pole and a brazier holding an “inextinguishable flame,” it promised to continue its drive to foster a “space symbolizing the nation” at Gwanghwamun Square.

This comes after civic groups and politicians criticized the initial plan as unreasonably nationalistic. Some added that the proposed structures did not blend with the Gwanghwamun area.

The city government did not consult with other responsible state authorities, it was also revealed.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy officially complained to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on June 27, saying the city government does not "hold any authority to unilaterally designate the area as a national symbolic site." They also stated the city government must consult with them when creating such spaces.

The 100-meter-high national flagpole initially proposed to be constructed at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul in a rendered image provided by the city government on June 25 [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Although the city abandoned the original design plan, the mayor on Thursday reiterated its determination to refurbish the square as a site representing the nation.

“Gwanghwamun Square is the heart of the metropolitan area of Seoul and an uncontested national symbolic site where historical, cultural and civic mindsets coexist,” Oh said during the press conference.

He added that the city’s project started with a “need to have a space expressing Korea’s identity as a liberal and democratic country along with the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin that represent Koreans’ national identity.”

The square will likely be revamped into a space featuring historical records and events such as the March 1 Independence Movement of 1919 and the April Revolution of 1960, a student-led democratic uprising on April 19 of that year.

An advisory panel consisting of civil groups and experts will participate in the planning and design of the structure that would stand in the square. Oh also promised that the city would be “open to all possibilities and listen to private and expert voices on creating such spaces.”

A public contest to decide the specific design of the structure will take place between August and November this year. Construction is expected to begin in May next year and will be completed by December.

The mayor said that the city is “peacefully communicating” with the presidential commission, the Land Ministry and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and will continue to do so in the future.

BY LEE SOO-KI, HAN EUN-HWA, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]