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In the heart of Seoul, where skyscrapers rise as symbols of relentless acceleration, stands a quiet "historical witness"—Deoksu Doldam-gil Palace. However, the peaceful 1.1-kilometer pathway encircling Deoksu Palace is becoming the latest battleground in the arduous fight for heritage preservation, where the voice of history clashes with the ever-increasing pressure of urban redevelopment.
Legendary beauty in the heart of modern Seoul.
Located along the outer wall of Deoksugung, one of the Five Great Royal Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, Doldam-gil has long transcended the role of a mere passageway. It is a romantic symbol of Seoul, where ancient architecture blends with the rhythm of modernity.
Deoksu Doldam-gil Palace, a legendary 1.1 km long stone wall road encircling Deoksu Palace.
Every autumn, this road dons a poetic cloak, with ginkgo and maple leaves turning a brilliant golden hue, transforming Doldam-gil into a rare nostalgic scene amidst the bustling city. When the honking of cars on Sejong-daero Street subsides, leaving only the soft sound of footsteps on the carpet of leaves, this place becomes a peaceful haven that attracts millions of tourists and locals every year.
More than just a tourist destination, Doldam-gil has become ingrained in Korean culture, celebrated in countless K-pop songs, dramas, and films, solidifying its status as "Seoul's most romantic street."
Doldam-gil became a symbol of rare peace in the bustling city.
However, that romantic beauty is now at risk of being permanently encroached upon. Amidst the Seoul city government's push for "greening" projects and the expansion of public spaces, numerous proposals have been put forward to dismantle or partially modify the stone wall, citing reasons such as "widening pathways" and "increasing community accessibility."
This place faces concerns about Seoul's increasing urbanization.
Supporters of the plan argue that the wall has been restored numerous times, thus its original value is no longer absolute. They claim that the modifications will "create a more friendly space that serves the broader community"—a necessary trade-off for urban development.
In stark contrast, conservation experts, social activists, and national cultural agencies vehemently opposed it. They emphasized that the stone wall, regardless of how many times it had been renovated, remained a sacred historical boundary, protecting the setting and integrity of the palace.
“The Great Wall is an architectural and emotional heritage inseparable from Seoul’s identity. Once it is demolished, we will not only lose a structure, but also the memory and historical context of an entire era. The loss is permanent and irreparable,” warned a representative of the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration.
This place holds within it a story that is both romantic and challenging: the process of preserving heritage amidst the wave of urban redevelopment.
The controversy surrounding Doldam-gil is not just the story of a single road; it is a stark reflection of the ideological struggle Seoul faces: how to reconcile its ambitions for radical modernization with its responsibility to preserve its millennia-old heritage.
Concerns were further fueled by the recent shocking ruling concerning the area surrounding Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The South Korean Supreme Court has ruled to allow an increase in building height limits in the Sewoon 4 redevelopment area. This paves the way for the construction of buildings up to 145 meters tall, just 170 meters from the historic shrine. Cultural authorities have warned that this will severely disrupt Seoul's historic skyline and heritage landscape. UNESCO even sent a letter expressing deep concern, calling for an urgent heritage impact assessment.
This incident has fueled public fears that Deoksu Doldam-gil Palace could become the "next victim" of uncontrolled modernization, where economic interests are prioritized over historical value.
However, conservationists and national cultural agencies vehemently oppose this, emphasizing that the stone wall, despite numerous alterations, remains a historical boundary protecting the palace grounds.
Following a wave of fierce backlash from experts and the public, the plan to reshape Doldam-gil has been temporarily suspended. South Korean social media is flooded with images of the brightly colored road and strong messages calling for its preservation. The voice of the people is not simply about protecting a brick wall, but about protecting "collective memory"—a place where history, culture, and emotions intertwine.
Deoksu Doldam-gil Palace is a historical test of Seoul's ability to develop sustainably. The battle to preserve every stone and every section of ancient walls not only shaped a road but also shaped the cultural future of the South Korean capital.
