Gwanghwamun revamp plan likely to be delayed

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon hinted Thursday that he will postpone his plan to revamp Gwanghwamun Square by 2021 amid increasing criticism of the project.

“Although the Seoul Metropolitan Government has held over 100 rounds of discussions over the expansion plan, an unprecedented number for a single project, still many things have been called into question by civic groups and citizens,” Park said during a press conference at Seoul City Hall.

“As each and every suggestion is very important to me, I am willing to accept it. As a result, I will not be obsessed with the timetable.”

The plan, aimed at expanding the size of the square 3.7 times by May 2021, requires dismantling four buildings at the Government Complex there and merging its current parking lot and access road into the square.

In addition, the plan would relocate the symbolic statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

However, critics have raised concerns that it may disrupt the operation of the government complex and cause traffic congestion among other inconveniences during construction.

In that respect, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety asked the city government to reschedule the plan until public opinion has been sufficiently collected.

Amid a rising conflict between the ministry and city government, Park discussed the issue with President Moon Jae-in and Interior Minister Chin Young, late August, during which Moon called for communication with residents and cooperation among the involved government organizations, according to the mayor.

Park’s announcement indicates the construction, if proceeded with, will start after the general election next April, as the work and resultant inconvenience to residents could work unfavorably against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea of which the mayor is a member.