About 3,500 residents of Seoul's Jung-gu came out in October 2026 against the World Heritage listing of Hanyangdoseong. The subject is the "Capital City Walls of Hanyang," which includes the stone-built Hanyangdoseong. The residents gathered their views in an opinion letter containing their signatures. On the 22nd of the same month, residents of Sewoon District 4 in front of Jongmyo Shrine also formally raised objections with the Korea Heritage Service.
Jung-gu residents cited development restrictions as the reason for their opposition. The residents argued that a listing would require nearby redevelopment and reconstruction projects to undergo a World Heritage impact assessment. Jung-gu said on October 21 that the opinion letter was submitted to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 13th and to the Korea Heritage Service, UNESCO and others on the 20th.
The situation in Sewoon District 4 is different.
Sewoon District 4 residents are unhappy with the development restrictions created because of Jongmyo Shrine, a World Heritage site. In a public inquiry, the residents claimed that the Korea Heritage Service applies a different standard to their district alone. They said the agency leaves the district out of its review but demands an impact assessment. They also claimed the Korea Heritage Service is blocking development by reversing a decision made nine years ago.
The Korea Heritage Service has concerns as well. Heo Min, head of the Korea Heritage Service, expressed concern that Jongmyo Shrine could lose its World Heritage status. The dispute over the views around Jongmyo Shrine has continued for nearly a year.
The Hanyangdoseong case is opposition meant to block a future listing, and the Sewoon District 4 case is a fight against restrictions left by Jongmyo Shrine, which has been a World Heritage site for nearly 30 years. Residents in both places see World Heritage status as a basis for development restrictions and are pushing back.
If you stop by Jongmyo Shrine, walk on past its walls to Sewoon District 4. The views to be protected and the neighborhood to be changed sit a few steps apart.
