Seoul City strongly opposes ”mandatory 500-meter restriction on World Heritage sites”... Criticizing the restriction as ”leading to the decline of the Gangbuk region” = South Korea

On the 11th, the city of Seoul expressed strong concerns about the proposed amendment to the World Heritage Law Enforcement Decree, which was established by the National Heritage Administration. The amendment stipulates that "impact assessment within a 500-meter radius of a World Heritage site is prohibited."
The city announced that it would strongly request rational improvements to the system regarding the application of this provision. The city expressed its sympathy for the purpose of preserving World Heritage sites included in the amendment. However,
He also pointed out that the new law constitutes "excessive overlapping regulations" that clash with the existing urban planning system, and is in effect nothing more than a "prior approval system" by the central government.
The city already has a meticulous "urban management system" that follows standards such as height and landscape.
The city considers that adding a "World Heritage Impact Assessment within 500 meters" to the existing system is a double regulation for administrative convenience.
The city also emphasized that the new regulations violate the constitutional principle of prohibiting excessive use. The city also warned that the new regulations would be retroactively applied to projects whose development plans had been announced through due process, such as the Sewoon 4th District.
The city of Seoul stated, "We understand the UNESCO recommendation to conduct a World Heritage Impact Assessment for the Sewoon 4th District.
However, protecting World Heritage sites is not just about physical protection; it is also an issue that requires the residents' awareness of heritage protection and the support of the local community."
In particular, the new regulations will affect a wide range of areas, which could lead to delays in housing supply, a shrinking of investment, and a weakening of the competitiveness of Seoul and other metropolitan areas.
He strongly criticized the regulations, calling them "regulations that will lead to the decline of the Gangbuk region" and hindering balanced urban development. The businesses that will be directly affected by the proposed amendment to the enforcement ordinance are approximately 38 areas in six districts.
The reconstruction and redevelopment promotion projects in the Gangbuk area, including districts 2 to 5, Immun 3, Changwi 11, and Changwi 15, are expected to be affected.
City development projects are also expected to be affected. Seoul City has stated that if the projects are delayed indefinitely due to the regulations, not only will the property rights of residents who have been waiting for the redevelopment to be directly threatened, but also the “elderly” will be “deprived of their livelihoods.”
They expressed concern that the quality of life could be seriously reduced, including the risk of safety accidents due to deterioration. If construction work is delayed or suspended due to the regulations at an ongoing construction site, huge interest payments will be incurred.
This will result in an increase in construction costs, which may directly lead to additional costs for former residents who are members of the association.
Seoul city spokesman Lee Min Ki-young said, "The citizens are the ones who made it a World Heritage site."
If the surrounding area is perceived as being deteriorated, this will not be favorable for protecting heritage sites from a long-term perspective."
"We will continue to strongly urge that improvement plans be formulated."