Redevelopment Plan

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The brakes have been put on a project to redevelop the Cheonggyecheon and Ulji-ro districts. The Seoul city government says that it will fully review and reconsider the plan. The announcement came amid strong public protests against the demolition of decades-old, popular restaurants, which will be inevitable in the process of the redevelopment.

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Ulchi Meonok is a popular, loved restaurant specializing in Pyongyang-style korean cold noodles or naengmyeon. It opened 35 years ago and boasts a long history. Recently, there were reports that the time-honored restaurant could be dismantled for a redevelopment project. Following them, many people have voiced opinions that the restaurant should be preserved. In response, the Seoul city government has announced a compromise, promising to work to maintain it in consultation with a district office in charge. Other old restaurants in the neighborhood will be preserved as well. The city government designated 13 venues, including the restaurants in question, as heritages years ago, noting their historical value. However, it has caused the current problem by failing to exclude them from the area to be redeveloped.

[Soundbite] Kang Maeng-hun(Seoul City Gov't) : "Rapid changes are taking place, which were not anticipated back in 2014. It is necessary for us to listen to various opinions and revise our plan."

In discussions with building owners, merchants and civic groups, it will devise comprehensive measures to protect traditional businesses in downtown areas, including Sewoon Arcade. The Seoul metropolitan government has promised to stick to the principles of preserving cultural heritages and to protect the urban industrial ecosystem as much as possible.