The redevelopment project in Sewoon District 4, located near the UNESCO World Heritage site Jongmyo, is at the center of a heated debate between urban development and heritage preservation. On January 23, 2026, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) sent an official review to Jongno-gu, emphasizing that construction cannot legally proceed without proper preservation measures for discovered buried heritage and the CHA chief’s completion of excavation procedures. The project, initially capped at 71.9 meters after years of negotiation (2009–2018), became controversial when Seoul City unilaterally raised the height limit to 145 meters in October 2025. UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre has also formally requested a heritage impact assessment and information from the city.
Excavations began in May 2022 by Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH), with CHA approval, uncovering numerous valuable relics such as Joseon-era roads and drainage systems. These findings are currently under temporary protection. In January 2024, the preservation plan submitted by SH was deemed insufficiently detailed and deferred by the Heritage Committee, and no revised materials have been submitted for two years, meaning the excavation is not legally complete. The CHA views this not as an administrative delay but as a failure to comply with legal procedures.
The CHA has warned that if Seoul does not respond to UNESCO’s official letter by January 30, it will request an immediate on-site inspection from the World Heritage Centre. Despite two formal requests in 2025 to conduct a heritage impact assessment and halt project approval, Seoul has not provided any additional documents or responses. The CHA has expressed strong regret over the unilateral actions of Seoul and Jongno-gu and urges responsible implementation in accordance with laws and regulations.
Looking ahead, the Sewoon District 4 project is likely to face increased legal and international scrutiny to ensure a balance between development and heritage preservation. If UNESCO proceeds with an on-site inspection, it could significantly impact the project’s future. The CHA warns of potential design changes and reputational risks, stressing that the final design must fully reflect preservation measures. This case could set new standards for heritage conservation policies both in Korea and internationally.
The Sewoon District 4 case highlights the critical role of legal and international oversight in balancing urban development with world heritage preservation. UNESCO’s potential intervention demonstrates how global organizations can influence domestic policy, underscoring the need for transparent communication and early stakeholder engagement in similar projects. Leveraging AI-driven data analysis can enhance the scientific assessment of heritage value and preservation strategies, thereby improving policy reliability and public trust.