A so-called “talk concert” was held recently for residents and government officials to sit down and exchange ideas on how to develop Seogwipo into a high-class, cultural city. Attendees agreed that it was crucial to balance development with sustaining as much of the natural scenery as possible. Lee Hee-jung joins me in the studio with the details.


Growing demand for development projects in Seogwipo has resulted in the city’s rapid urbanization.

[REPORTER]
Lee Hee-jung

A so-called “innovation city” is starting to take shape… along with the Myths and History Theme Park and Healthcare Town.

How do the local residents of Seogwipo and experts feel about these latest additions? Both sides expressed their views and concerns at a recent “talk concert” that was held by the city of Seogwipo… and agreed that above all else, Jeju’s natural environment should come first.

SYNC
Heo Gyeong-ja / Vice chair, International Green Island Forum
Who would come all the way to Seogwipo to a 10-floor hotel if the traffic is bad?
<녹취:허경자 국제녹색섬포럼 부위원장>
"서귀포 10층 호텔, 교통체증 생기면 누가 오겠나"

Both sides also agreed the only way Seogwipo could differentiate itself from Jeju City would be if it maintained its natural scenery while undergoing new development projects.

One way to do that would be to limit the height of newly constructed buildings but instead ease restrictions on the land-to-building ratio.

SYNC
Kang Joong-yeol / President, IS Construction
When considering the natural scenery, it would be ideal to ease the building-to-land ratio restriction but limit the height of new structures...
<녹취: 강중열 이즈건축 대표>
"이러한 것들을 건폐율 완화 해주고 대신 경관을 위해
높이를 낮춰준다면 경관을 위해 바람직 할 것이다..."

Other ideas included revamping construction regulations with the natural scenery in mind. Although it would take time, new rules could be set on permissible colors, shapes and designs of new constructions to suit Seogwipo’s natural backdrop.

SYNC
Lee Dong-ki / President, Dowon Construction
We need to remember that buildings don’t only belong to the buyers, but they belong to the community in which they are built.
<녹취: 이동기 도원건축 대표>
"시민도 자기재산이지만 건축의 외형에 있어서는 공공의 자산이라는 시민의식이 필요할 것이다"

Various opinions were voiced at the talk concert on ways to upgrade Seogwipo into a high-class city. But many were seen to be more ideal than realistic and it remains to be seen which direction the city will choose to go in the months to come.