A significant issue has emerged regarding the military intelligence school site located within Seooreung, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Goyang, South Korea. The site has been used as a military facility for over 40 years, and discussions surrounding its return to the public are gaining traction. On March 3, Democratic Party mayoral candidate Lee Young-ah held a press conference near the entrance of the military intelligence school, asserting that the presence of a military facility in the midst of a world heritage site can no longer be tolerated. She proposed transforming the area into a public forest and a historical and cultural experience zone for citizens.

Seooreung has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009, along with 40 royal tombs from the Joseon dynasty. However, the military facility situated within its core has restricted public access to this cultural treasure. The ongoing discussions regarding the reorganization of the military intelligence agency have brought the future of this site back into the spotlight. Although the Ministry of National Defense previously indicated plans for relocating the facility, no concrete timetable or restoration plans for the heritage site have been established yet.

In her remarks, Lee highlighted the historical context, referring to the military intelligence agency's past involvement in leading a coup and arguing that it should not occupy such a significant cultural site. She emphasized the need for Goyang to transition away from its past military city image, advocating for the removal of military facilities and the return of cultural assets to the public. This call for change reflects a broader movement towards recognizing and preserving cultural heritage as vital public space.