As the government reviews a plan to supply dwellings in part of Yongsan Park in Seoul, criticism emerged from the historical academia that the idea of filling the area with concrete apartments, far from properly preserving and remembering the historical space, is ahistorical and nonsensical.
According to academia on the 21st, a statement to this effect, hosted by Kim Cheon-su, head of the Seoul Yongsan Studies Research Center, is scheduled to be released at 11 a.m. on the 22nd in front of the main gate of the Yongsan Children's Garden in Seoul. Before the statement is read, local historian Yang Hyo-seong, Citizens and History secretary-general Kim Seong-il, and citizens will speak.
The statement was signed by senior historian Jeong Jae-jeong, emeritus professor at the University of Seoul (former chair of the Northeast Asian History Foundation), former professor Jeon Gap-saeng at Sungkonghoe University, Cho Geon, professor in the Department of History Education at Dongguk University, Lee Tae-ho, distinguished professor at Myongji University, Kang Woo-cheol, head of the Unification and Security Strategy Research Institute, and Choi Cheol-ho, head of the Fortress Trail History and Culture Research Institute, among others. In addition, stakeholders in the history and environment fields, including the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement in Seoul, also joined.
Through the statement, they said, "We urge an immediate halt to the reckless development attempts at Yongsan Park and a reconsideration of its historical meaning and value."
They said, "Yongsan Park is not merely vacant land or a green space but a historical space that bears traces of invasion and war, division and the Cold War in Korea's modern and contemporary history," and added, "If the government's proposed development fills the park site with buildings such as apartments, Yongsan Park's historicity and identity could be damaged."
They pointed out that this development also runs counter to the 2007 enactment of the Special Act on the Creation of Yongsan Park and the plan to create a national park. They said, "The government itself is breaking the social consensus and trying to fill citizens' resting places and green spaces with ashen buildings," adding, "It is an anachronistic and dangerous gamble that could topple the government's principles and philosophy on creating a national park at once."
They continued, "Yongsan Park is a precious gift and legacy left to the current and future generations," and said, "It should not all be consumed to quench an immediate thirst."
They added, "We hope the reckless attempts to develop Yongsan Park will stop," and said, "With the will of citizens, we must create Yongsan Park wisely with a longer perspective and steadier pace."
The government is reviewing supplying dwellings in part of Yongsan Park, citing the need to ease housing difficulties for young people and newlyweds. But the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Yongsan District argue that it should be created as a national park in line with the intent of the special act.
Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met the previous day to discuss the development of Yongsan Park, among other issues, but failed to find common ground. Kim and Oh's offices said they would continue discussions next week.