Seoul gov't vows to turn Gwanghwamun Square into space symbolizing peace and liberal democracy

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it will transform Gwanghwamun Square into a national symbolic space representing "liberal democracy and world peace" through a public contest.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks about the city's plan to transform Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul into a national symbolic space during a press conference held at City Hall in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it will transform Gwanghwamun Square into a national symbolic space representing "liberal democracy and world peace" through a public contest, scrapping its controversial plan to erect a 100-meter-high (328-feet-high) national flagpole.

Earlier in June, the city government announced a plan to install a giant flagpole featuring the Korean flag, or Taegeukgi, in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The city reconsidered the plan due to public criticism of the project's excessive nationalism.

According to the city government, the space will symbolize Korea's democracy and peace, commemorate the sacrifice of UN forces who fought in the 1950-1953 Korean War and connect people through advanced media structures and formats.

A cube-shaped media facade proposed by a citizen, shown in a rendered image provided by the city government on Tuesday [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

On Tuesday, the city government shared the results of a public opinion survey through its website over the past month, from July 15.

A total of 522 submissions were received, with 59 percent supporting the creation of a national symbolic space and 40.2 percent opposing it. The responses included 28 design ideas for the space, such as media façades, flagpoles and structures featuring the flags of countries that participated in the Korean War.

Of the 522 submissions, 41 percent — the largest group — suggested incorporating the Taegeukgi, Korea’s national flag, as a symbolic structure in the area, followed by the national flower, the mugunghwa, also known as the rose of Sharon.

Among those who opposed the idea, 28 percent expressed that Gwanghwamun Square should be preserved as is. The second-largest group, representing nine percent, argued that the city's budget should be allocated to other priorities, such as addressing the low birthrate and public welfare.

The responses were collected from the general public, not limited to Seoulites alone.

A media facade proposed by a citizen, shown in a rendered image provided by the city government on Tuesday [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Considering public opinion, the city announced that it would hold an international competition for space design in September, following expert consultations, a citizens' committee and discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Seoul aims to begin construction for the space in May next year and complete it by September.

During a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon reiterated the project's significance, emphasizing that the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin in the area are insufficient to represent Korea’s "liberal democracy."

"We need a symbol to represent intangible values" like liberal democracy, Oh said.

The mayor also noted that the city is open to all possibilities regarding the square, promising to create a symbolic space that embodies Korea’s prosperity and honors the sacrifice of the UN troops who fought for freedom and peace.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]