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| ▲ This photo, shows the main building of Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, shows the graphic that explains the history of Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, August 11 (Yonhap) -- Experts suggested that the core buildings, including the main building of Cheong Wa Dae and the official residence be used as "historical and cultural spaces," while other buildings be used as "civil spaces."
While it is a kind of "compromise" as it considers both the use of Cheong Wa Dae and the preserving of historicity in the modern and contemporary history of Korea, it is gaining attention with the different opinion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism which planned to create a cultural complex with an art exhibition hall.
According to the academia on Wednesday, Professor Kim Jeong-hyeon of the Hongik School of Architecture will submit a report on the "Basic Concept of the Cheong Wa Dae Master Plan as a Historical and Cultural Space" to the Cultural Heritage Administration until the end of this month.
In the report, Professor Kim suggested a plan to preserve its original form, focusing on buildings that are judged to be of high historical value.
"There are about 5 buildings that are often evaluated as having high historicity like the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, the Presidential Residence, Yeongbingwan, Chunchugwan, and Sangchundae," explained Professor Kim in a phone call with Yonhap News.
"There is a way of keeping its original form, while other buildings like the Yeomingwan being made as a place for citizens," he said. "I believe it is also an option to use the Yeongbingwan and the Chunchugwan as a civil space."
Earlier, in the presidential business report last month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism disclosed a plan to operate the main Cheong Wa Dae facilities as art exhibition halls.
It was a plan about the main building and the residence being operated as permanent art exhibition halls while Yeongbingwan will be a place for a special art exhibition hall. As a public communication space, the briefing room at the second floor of the Chunchugwan was planned to be used as a special exhibition space for public and private use.
Professor Kim believes that sufficient discussion and review is essential to determine the direction for the use of the Cheong Wa Dae.
"Rather than designating a specific use for each place, on3 can think of various possibilities," he said. "Instead of quickly deciding on how it will be used, it is necessary to take a step back and carefully grasp the historical and spatial characteristics."
For this, he also suggested a three-step application process.
First, it is to make the "historical and cultural spaces" considering the historical values, and improving "civil spaces" one by one after thoroughly examining what purpose it will be used for. At the same time, professor Kim emphasized that the investigation and excavation of cultural assets in the Cheong Wa Dae area should be continued.
"If Gyeongbokgung palace is a space for the Joseon Dynasty, Cheong Wa Dae should function as a place commemorating the Republic of Korea," Professor Kim said. "If the historical and cultural space is strictly reflected while the cultural space for the citizens is provided in a fun and lively way, we'll be able to catch two rabbits at once with Cheong Wa Dae reflecting both historicity and publicity."
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)
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