The redevelopment project in front of Jongmyo Shrine, known as the Seun 4 District project, has been a source of controversy due to plans for high-rise buildings exceeding 30 stories in height. Recently, the Cultural Heritage Administration formally requested that this project be brought before the Administrative Coordination Committee, which operates under the Prime Minister to resolve disputes between central administrative bodies and local governments. This move comes as a result of ongoing tensions between the Seoul city government and various heritage preservation entities regarding the impact on Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Seun 4 District has been marked for urban redevelopment since 2004, but efforts have been stalled due to conflicts over preserving the historical landscape surrounding Jongmyo Shrine. In 2018, an agreement specified building heights of 55 meters along Jongno and 71.9 meters along Cheonggyecheon, but the Seoul government unilaterally announced a new plan allowing buildings to reach heights of 145 meters, reigniting concerns about potential damage to the historical views. The argument has focused on carrying out a heritage impact assessment to evaluate how the redevelopment might affect the site.

As talks between the Seoul government and the Cultural Heritage Administration have not progressed, this upcoming discussion in the Administrative Coordination Committee will be pivotal in determining the future of this redevelopment project. It reflects a broader challenge of balancing urban development with the conservation of culturally significant sites in rapidly modernizing cities.