Another Day, Another Grand Plan to Remake Seoul

by Robert Koehler on March 5, 2009

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced yesterday a plan to restore the ecology and cultural heritage of the Mt. Namsan area.

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

1 rampowers March 5, 2009 at 1:47 pm: Sounds pretty.

I’m just hoping they don’t try to take/buy land from citizens as history shows people have a habit of burning down buildings/gates in protest.
2 R. Elgin March 5, 2009 at 2:17 pm: I am hoping *this* plan is a good idea too. My first impression is that it may be a good idea but then I remember the dead-wrong ideas that have sprung from this mayor’s office and I would want a second look at the planning and scope of this project.
3 whitey March 5, 2009 at 4:21 pm: Are we sure this was a real announcement? The mayor is not wearing white gloves, nor is there a banner in the photo. Both of those are de riguer for SK political/business photo ops.
4 hamel March 5, 2009 at 5:00 pm: I hope, Robert, that you will dutifully give this plan positive coverage in your magazine?
5 Robert Koehler March 5, 2009 at 5:02 pm: Not that I like talking shop on my blog, but yes, I think it’s very likely the plan will get positive coverage in the magazine.
6 dokdoforever March 6, 2009 at 6:24 am: If they tear down the KCIA buildings, they should build a memorial to all those victims of authoritarian torture or murder during the Park and Chun years. For those right wingers out there, even a few business execs were subject to water torture under Chun.
7 Robert Koehler March 6, 2009 at 2:33 pm: It’s funny about the KCIA buildings — one is now a youth hostel, and the main building is now used as a City Hall annex. I’ve had to go there a couple of times to conduct interviews — it’s a tad surreal, actually.
8 Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) March 6, 2009 at 2:55 pm: For those right wingers out there, even a few business execs were subject to water torture under Chun.

I think this is why Obama intends to keep Guantanamo Bay open.
9 sanshinseon March 6, 2009 at 5:49 pm: This plan could be good — link the restored areas to the Namsan Hanok Village, and we’ll have a vast nature / culture /recreational zone in the city’s center. Parking spaces very much needed, and better easy-access from Metro stations…
10 wookinponub March 6, 2009 at 11:55 pm: Here we go, gettin’ all libcon agin. Ain’t there a better way?