The Seoul Metropolitan Government expressed regret over the Korea Heritage Service's accusation against the Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation (SH). The Korea Heritage Service filed a police complaint against SH on suspicion of violating the Act on the Protection and Investigation of Buried Heritage, saying SH drilled the site for the Sewoon District 4 urban environment redevelopment project.
On the 17th, Seoul Metropolitan Government Spokesperson Lee Min-gyeong issued a statement saying, "We express regret that the Korea Heritage Service proposed three-party talks regarding Sewoon District 4 while simultaneously accusing SH of illegal activity."
However, the spokesperson said, "We view as meaningful progress the Korea Heritage Service's acceptance of the intent behind the 'four-party consultative body' that the Seoul Metropolitan Government has consistently proposed, by suggesting 'three-party talks' involving the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jongno District, and the Korea Heritage Service."
The official added, "Through these talks, we hope to establish balanced solutions and reasonable alternatives so that the preservation of world heritage and downtown redevelopment projects can be harmonized."
The spokesperson also said, "The city has a firm commitment to the prompt normalization and promotion of the Sewoon District 4 project," adding, "In consultation with relevant agencies, we will draw up measures that fully respect the value of cultural heritage while enabling the Sewoon District 4 project to proceed reasonably and smoothly."
The official continued, "We expect swift, substantive discussions to resolve the Sewoon District 4 issue through the three-party talks," adding, "The city will participate in the consultations with an open attitude."
Earlier, on the 16th, the Korea Heritage Service said it had confirmed that SH conducted unapproved drilling at 11 locations within the Sewoon District 4 urban environment redevelopment project site. The Korea Heritage Service therefore accused SH of violating the Act on the Protection and Investigation of Buried Heritage.
According to the Korea Heritage Service, SH conducted drilling without permission at the Sewoon District 4 project site, digging as deep as about 38 meters. The area is a region with surviving buried heritage where excavation has not yet been completed. Excavations conducted since 2022 have identified about 592 building sites, 199 wells, roads and drainage channels, and traces of an Imun (village gate) that guarded a settlement entrance, showing the urban structure of the Joseon era and daily life inside the walled city.
SH countered that it had already received approval from the Korea Heritage Service for excavating buried cultural properties and completed fieldwork, and that it finished backfilling in Nov. 2024, arguing it did not break the law.
Separately, the Korea Heritage Service proposed opening a discussion table with the Seoul mayor, the Jongno District chief, and the head of the Korea Heritage Service. However, this was premised on postponing the convening of the Integrated Review Committee for the redevelopment project.