Military construction near historic Seoul fortress suspended

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- The government's heritage agency said Thursday that it
has suspended construction work on military barracks that has been underway near
a historic fortress in Seoul without approval.
The location of the two-story building is just three meters away from a
14th-century fortress registered as a national heritage site and tapped for a
possible UNESCO world heritage listing. Beginning the construction in September,
the Capital Defense Command failed to report and gain approval of the project in
violation of cultural property laws.
"The defense ministry will come up with a revised plan and submit it to us for
review," said Choi Jong-nak, an official at the Cultural Heritage Administration
who oversees relics' preservation issues.
The official said construction of the barracks did not cause any damage to the
fortress itself but blocked the view of it. The fortress was built by the founder
of the Joseon Dynasty (1390~1910), King Taejo, to demarcate the territory of the
new capital, Seoul. It later underwent restoration work after the Japanese
invasion in the 16th century and again following the 1950-53 Korean War.
The heritage agency sent a letter to the defense ministry on Wednesday announcing
its suspension of the construction and requesting a revised plan.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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