Comments on: Seoul Set to Reconstruct Ancient Gates & Walls By 2013

By: R. Elgin

R. Elgin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:03:06 +0000

. . . I have always felt that the Seoul government should restore the old fortress walls in order to give the city a unique feature unlike any other major city in Northeast Asia.

My words exactly. They should go further and restrict or tear down obnoxious buildings around these structures as well.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:35:07 +0000

I've always liked how the old and new were together in Seoul; you can piss in an alley or crap on a real flusher! I hope they install a fire suppression system…

By: GI Korea

GI Korea — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:16:44 +0000

Remember the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon is registered with UNESCO and much of its walls and towers are of modern construction as well. I assume the Seoul government figures that there is enough of the old walls remaining to justify it for UNESCO. The UNESCO tab on the walls would go a long ways towards attracting a few more tourists to Seoul.

By: Chris in South Korea

Chris in South Korea — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:48:53 +0000

You're missing a Meh / don't really care button Honestly, restoring history sounds good and all – but meh.

By: Leon LaPorte

Leon LaPorte — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:12:44 +0000

"…the city plans to seek the registering of the fortress wall on the UNESCO World Heritage list."

Uh… On a modern construct?

I think it's a great idea. I just do not see how it could be a world heritage site when construction is completed in 2013. Maybe if they wait 500 years or so (and manage to keep arsonists and the Japanese Imperial Army away from it)?

By: alcyone

alcyone — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:04:02 +0000

That'd be so awesome. I was always impressed by those photos of Namdaemun with the surrounding highrises and office buildings. I would love to see more of this mesh of ancient culture and modern architecture. I wonder where they plan on placing the walls though. The land prices there must be through the roof.