Insa-dong Designated a Special Cultural Area

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Insa-dong Designated a Special Cultural Area

Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 18:55

Insa-dong has been designated as a special cultural area and strict limitations on new construction in the district will be implemented.

The Seoul Provincial Government announced on April 20 that, "To maintain the traditional culture in the Insadong area, we designated Insa-dong, Kwanghoon, Kyungoon, and Kyunji districts as special cultural areas where strict limitations will be placed on newly constructed buildings starting immediately."

Seoul made this proposal to the provincial committee and will expand on this idea in the begining of May.

According to this plan, buildings over five floors, amusement restaurants, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores, which are all unsuitable for the traditional cultural look, will not be permitted in the area.

Also, widening narrow side streets to create more parking space will be prohibited.

On the other hand, this plan will benefit the traditional cultural stores because they will be exempted from certain taxes.

by Sung Shi-yoon