UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany has expressed profound concern about Seoul's controversial high-rise development plan near the historic Jongmyo Shrine, one of Korea's most sacred cultural heritage sites. The concerns were raised during a high-level meeting with Huh Min, director of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), highlighting the potential threat to this UNESCO World Heritage site.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, El-Enany personally addressed the development issue and made his concerns unmistakably clear to Korean officials. "He brought up the issue and expressed deep concern over the plan," Huh explained to reporters while briefing them about his discussion with the UNESCO director-general earlier that day. The UNESCO chief went further by requesting a specific commitment from South Korean authorities regarding the construction timeline.
"He asked us to promise not to build high-rises until a heritage impact assessment is complete," Huh revealed, underscoring the seriousness of UNESCO's position on the matter. This request represents a significant intervention by the international organization in Seoul's urban development plans, reflecting the gravity of concerns about potential damage to the historic site.
The controversy stems from earlier communications between UNESCO and Seoul city officials regarding the proposed construction project. UNESCO's World Heritage Center had previously sent an official letter to the city government, strongly advising municipal authorities to conduct a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment before proceeding with any construction activities in the area. The letter specifically warned that the high-rise development plan could seriously threaten the integrity and authenticity of the historic complex.
Jongmyo Shrine holds extraordinary significance in Korean cultural history and represents one of the nation's most important heritage landmarks. The sacred site serves as the eternal resting place for ancestral tablets of the royal family from the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910. Beyond its historical importance, Jongmyo carries deep symbolic meaning as one of Korea's first UNESCO World Heritage sites, having received this prestigious designation in 1995.
In response to El-Enany's concerns, Huh provided detailed explanations about the South Korean government's ongoing commitment to preserving Jongmyo's World Heritage status and protecting its cultural significance. The Korean Heritage Service director outlined various preservation efforts and initiatives that demonstrate the government's dedication to maintaining the site's integrity. Following these discussions, El-Enany pledged his full support for Korea's heritage preservation efforts.
The meeting also covered preparations for the upcoming 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is scheduled to take place in July next year in the southeastern city of Busan. This represents a historic milestone as Korea will host a UNESCO meeting for the first time, with approximately 3,000 participants expected to attend, including delegations from 196 signatory states, various international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
El-Enany expressed high expectations for Korea's inaugural hosting of such a significant UNESCO event and conveyed his complete support for the extensive preparations underway. The successful organization of this international gathering will serve as an important opportunity for Korea to demonstrate its commitment to global heritage preservation and cultural cooperation on the world stage.
