Table of Contents
- Full-scale Promotion of Scenic Area Lifting Around UN Memorial Park
- Rehabilitation of Urban Function and Improvement of Residential Environment Through the Establishment of a District Unit Plan
- UN Memorial Park, the World's Only Official UN Cemetery
- Realistic Constraints Exist Amid Redevelopment Expectations
- Hopes for Harmony Between World Heritage Value and Urban Development
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Full-scale Promotion of Scenic Area Lifting Around UN Memorial Park
Busan City is actively promoting the lifting of the scenic area designation near the UN Memorial Park. As a result, urban renewal projects in the DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong areas, which had previously faced development restrictions, are receiving new attention. This change is expected to have a positive impact on regional development.
On October 23, Busan City announced that it received conditional approval for the 'Management Plan for the Scenic Area Around UN Memorial Park' during the regular general meeting of the UN Memorial Park International Management Committee (CUNMCK) held at the Westin Chosun Busan.
Key figures in attendance included officials from Busan City, the management office of UN Memorial Park, and ambassadors from 11 member countries of the International Management Committee. Busan City proposed a reasonable urban management plan to restore urban functions while respecting the historical significance of the UN Memorial Park.
These efforts are expected to contribute to the future development of Busan.
Rehabilitation of Urban Function and Improvement of Residential Environment Through the Establishment of a District Unit Plan
According to the recent agreement, Busan City plans to establish a district unit plan to efficiently manage the height, scale, and use of buildings. Even with the lifting of the scenic area designation, the height of buildings will be limited in two zones to protect the dignity and symbolism of the UN Memorial Park. In addition, management measures regarding the exterior and use of buildings will be established as part of a detailed plan. These measures are expected to contribute to protecting and maintaining the area's landscape.
This plan aims at improving the residential environment through urban regeneration, expanding living infrastructure, and enhancing transportation systems. These efforts will proceed based on consultations with the International Management Committee.
Beginning in the first half of 2026, Busan City plans to start commissioning the urban management plan from the Nam-gu office, and after that, in the second half of 2026, the city will undergo a decision-making process and embark on systematic arrangements. Additionally, efforts to continuously promote the Peace Forest project within the UN Cemetery Park will also be pursued.
UN Memorial Park, the World's Only Official UN Cemetery
UN Memorial Park is a unique official UN cemetery that houses 2,333 UN service members who lost their lives in the Korean War. Currently, it is managed jointly by 14 countries, including 11 UN member states and 3 non-member states.
Established in 1951, this cemetery is a location permanently donated by South Korea to the UN, and under the Korea-UN agreement signed in 1959, agricultural or residential uses are only allowed within the bounds of preserving the cemetery's dignity.
In 1971, it was designated as a scenic area, resulting in development restrictions in the DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong areas for over 50 years. This background further highlights the historical value of this area.
Realistic Constraints Exist Amid Redevelopment Expectations
Recently, there has been a heightened interest in the redevelopment potential of the DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong areas with the news of the lifting of the scenic area designation. However, this area is mostly designated as a Type 1 General Residential Zone, which imposes strict regulations on building height and land use.
In particular, the DaeYeon-dong area near the UN Park already has a high density of 4-story apartments and multi-family villas. Personally, I believe that the land use in this area is so fragmented that establishing a cooperative or pursuing large-scale redevelopment would realistically be difficult.
Even if the scenic area designation is lifted, the reality suggests that gradual improvements through urban regeneration will likely be prioritized over large-scale housing redevelopment.
Hopes for Harmony Between World Heritage Value and Urban Development
Busan City reports that this agreement will maintain the World Heritage value of the UN Memorial Park and promote the rehabilitation of functions in nearby cities. This initiative is evaluated as an important turning point that will simultaneously arrange and improve the urban environment in the areas surrounding the UN Memorial Park ahead of the 50th World Heritage Committee General Assembly scheduled to be held in 2026.
Furthermore, the International Management Committee expressed its hope that through this plan, the sacrifices and contributions of UN veterans to the development of South Korea are commemorated, and that the significance of this can be further highlighted through urban renewal. It is hoped that this opportunity will enrich Busan's history and culture.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why is Busan City promoting the lifting of the scenic area designation around UN Memorial Park?
Busan City is promoting the lifting of the scenic area designation around UN Memorial Park to restore urban functions and improve the residential environment.
Busan City is pursuing the lifting of the scenic area designation to respect the historical significance of the UN Memorial Park while activating urban renewal projects in the DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong areas that have faced development restrictions. The goal is to restore urban functions and enhance the living environment. Recently, through consultations with the International Management Committee, conditional approval has been obtained, and specific district unit plans and limited architectural management will be developed to promote harmonious regional development.
Q. What limitations will remain on development around UN Memorial Park even after the scenic area designation is lifted?
Building heights and scales will be limited by dividing them into two zones, and management regarding appearance and uses will also be implemented.
Even after the scenic area designation is lifted, Busan City plans to manage building heights separately to protect the dignity and symbolism of the UN Memorial Park. Additionally, detailed management measures regarding the appearance and uses of buildings will be developed to maintain a harmonious urban landscape. Thus, development will be allowed within the bounds of preserving historical value while simultaneously pursuing the recovery of the area's aesthetics and functions.
Q. What is the outlook for redeveloping the DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong areas?
There are expectations for redevelopment, but realistic constraints mean gradual urban regeneration is likely to be prioritized.
The areas of DaeYeon-dong and YongDang-dong mostly fall under the Type 1 General Residential Zone, which has strict building regulations, and the land use is fragmented, making large-scale redevelopment realistically difficult. In particular, there is a high density of multi-family villas in the area, making it challenging to establish cooperatives or undertake large-scale renovations. Therefore, even after the lifting of the scenic area designation, gradual improvements focused on urban regeneration are expected to be prioritized over large-scale redevelopment.
Q. What significance does the current effort to lift the scenic area designation have for Busan and the UN Memorial Park?
It serves as a turning point for restoring urban functions in Busan while maintaining the World Heritage value of the UN Memorial Park.
The effort to lift the scenic area designation is being conducted under international consensus to protect the dignity of the UN Memorial Park while adhering to the Korea-UN agreement established in 1959. Through this, Busan aims to preserve the historical and cultural value of the UN Memorial Park as a World Heritage site while improving the surrounding urban environment, marking an important turning point for regional development. This initiative carries symbolic significance for the cooperation between Busan and the UN ahead of the World Heritage Committee General Assembly in 2026.
