{"id":2205754,"date":"2024-07-11T18:19:24","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T09:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205754"},"modified":"2024-07-16T18:48:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T09:48:40","slug":"seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/","title":{"rendered":"Seoul\u2019s controversial flagpole plan stirs debate about role of national symbols"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Seoul Metropolitan Government has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sbs.co.kr\/\/news\/endPage.do?newsId=N1007718210&amp;plink=POST&amp;cooper=FACEBOOK&amp;fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2jLCpW7bjyP_SjylmR8jeOiztgJXGFmMyzowG5g-xiLpdwr6RYo43p1Y4_aem_y83tpiN3pqaCGH3BHB6wbg&amp;plink=POST&amp;cooper=FACEBOOK\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrawn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its controversial plan to install a 100-meter-tall flagpole and an eternal flame at Gwanghwamun Square, following a backlash over the meaning that such national symbols carry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced that the city will listen to citizens\u2019 opinions and review the project from scratch while still pursuing the creation of a \u201cnational symbol space\u201d at the iconic location in central Seoul. The $7.9 million initiative, which aimed to honor veterans and foster patriotism, was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seoul.go.kr\/news\/news_report.do#view\/414565\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Oh on June 25, the 74th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crux of the controversy appears to be the widespread use of the South Korean national flag, called the Taegeukgi, by conservative protesters in recent years \u2014 often in Gwanghwamun Square itself. This has fed the perception that such conspicuous flag-waving is a form of far-right jingoism, and led many to see the conservative mayor\u2019s plan as an endorsement of this kind of nationalistic expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts warned that the project risked politicizing these national symbols and deepening generational divides in South Korean society, given that many younger people eschew such flag-waving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, they emphasized the need for the government to engage in dialogue with more people to better craft public monuments that articulate a vision of Korean patriotism and national identity that resonates with a broader swath of the population.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2205754 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-post_feature_image'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/untitled-design-23-2\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-23-935x500.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post_feature_image size-post_feature_image\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2205757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-23-935x500.jpg 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-23-1255x670.jpg 1255w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-23.jpg 1870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2205757'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Seoul Metropolitan Government&#8217;s initial design proposal for a 100-meter-high flagpole | Image: Seoul Metropolitan Government (June 25, 2024)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/untitled-design-24-2\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-24-935x500.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post_feature_image size-post_feature_image\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2205758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-24-935x500.jpg 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-24-1255x670.jpg 1255w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-24.jpg 1870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2205758'>\n\t\t\t\tFrom left: Designs of the flagpole&#8217;s media art depicting the date &#8220;June 25 (6. 25)&#8221; to honor the wartime fallen | Image: Seoul Metropolitan Office, edited by Korea Pro\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><b>DESIGN CONTROVERSY<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the Seoul Metropolitan Council passed an ordinance permitting a large flagpole in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul City proposed a design featuring two main sculptures: a 100-meter flagpole that will fly a 21-meter by 14-meter Taegeukgi and an eternal flame in front of it to commemorate veterans who lost their lives during the Korean War.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction is set to begin in May 2025 after the design is finalized, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Seoul\u2019s plan has faced criticism. Non-governmental organization <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/culturalaction.org\/48\/?q=YToxOntzOjEyOiJrZXl3b3JkX3R5cGUiO3M6MzoiYWxsIjt9&amp;bmode=view&amp;idx=21515409&amp;t=board\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultural Action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> called the initiative \u201canachronistic and outdated,\u201d while Seoul\u2019s education superintendent Cho Hee-yeon <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/story.php?story_fbid=10160297634832992&amp;id=538447991&amp;mibextid=WUal2a&amp;rdid=kPOJ5wxAMzjTBEVJ\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the mayor to reevaluate his plan, emphasizing that \u201cpatriotism cannot be compelled or quantified by flag size.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, South Korean <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.joongang.co.kr\/article\/25262580#home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">media<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mt.co.kr\/mtview.php?no=2024071018250072283\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reported<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the land ministry and the National Architectural Policy Commission criticized the plan, asserting that Gwanghwamun Square had not been officially designated as a national symbol space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In response, Oh defended the project and promised to clarify the design plans and their significance &#8220;without disrupting Gwanghwamun Square\u2019s design.&#8221; He further justified the $7.9 million (11 billion won) budget as covering the flagpole and various ancillary facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Seoul City\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seoul.go.kr\/news\/news_report.do#view\/414565\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efforts to clarify<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the project, Lee Young-gyu, head of the Gwanghwamun Square Planning Team at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the flagpole design presented in the original press release was an \u201cinitial draft\u201d that requires further development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates will include slight design changes and various design proposals after gathering input from experts and academics, Lee said. Additionally, Oh plans to hold a press conference to explain the updates and respond to criticisms, but Seoul City did not disclose when that would occur.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2205756\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2205756\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2205756\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-22.jpg 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-22-935x500.jpg 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-22-1255x670.jpg 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2205756\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seoul&#8217;s Mayor Oh Se-hoon explains the initial design proposal at City Hall alongside Korean War veterans on June 25, 2024 | Image: Seoul Metropolitan Government<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>GENERATIONAL DIVIDES<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts have expressed skepticism about the Seoul Metropolitan Government&#8217;s project, cautioning that young people tend to recoil from ostentatious displays of national symbols to instill patriotism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cho Jin-man, a political science professor at Duksung Women\u2019s University, criticized the idea of using a national flag to foster patriotism as \u201coverly simplistic\u201d given today&#8217;s societal trends. He argued that while patriotism can unify people during national crises, it is \u201cnot effective as a constant theme in everyday life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Korea has evolved too much for such a symbol to achieve the desired unifying effect, Cho explained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIn a modern, advanced city like Seoul, such displays might not resonate well with young people, who are more individualistic than generations that came before. They might view it as outdated or even grotesque if not executed well,\u201d Cho observed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee Won-jae, a professor of computational social science at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), said older generations may appreciate the flagpole but said it risks alienating younger generations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYounger South Koreans\u2019 patriotism isn\u2019t the same. It has evolved. Their sense of national pride isn\u2019t rooted in nationalist symbols but rather in our people\u2019s ability to communicate and build bridges with other cultures and nations as equals,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cho of Duksung Women\u2019s University further noted that Seoul\u2019s proposal could further politicize the Taegeukgi, which South Korean conservatives have co-opted since their protests against former President Park Geun-hye\u2019s impeachment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both South Korean progressives and conservatives frequently hold rallies and protests in Gwanghwamun Square, turning the public space into a political battleground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But while conservative protesters usually wave the South Korean flag (and often the American flag too) during rallies, progressives have adopted a lit candlestick as their preferred symbol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this context, Seoul\u2019s proposed flagpole may be a contentious addition to the space, according to Cho.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He stressed patriotism might be better expressed in more subtle ways that align with contemporary values and sensibilities, calling the grandiose use of national symbols as reminiscent of socialist states.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cErecting massive structures to symbolize nationalism does not align with conservative or liberal democratic principles,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cConservatism is about ensuring the maximum protection of individual rights and freedoms, not displaying overt symbols of patriotism. In times of national crisis, patriotism should manifest naturally and strongly, without the need for grand displays,\u201d he told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2205767\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2205767\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2205767\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/2.jpg 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/2-935x500.jpg 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/2-1255x670.jpg 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2205767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Citizens walking in Seoul&#8217;s Gwanghwamun Square | Image: Korea Pro (Oct. 27, 2023)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>CONSENSUS BUILDING<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee Won-jae of KAIST suggested that maintaining Gwanghwamun Square as an open, neutral space would better allow citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, to come together without feeling pressured to conform to any particular viewpoint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEnsuring that public spaces remain inclusive will help to instill in people that our country remains a place where various ideas can coexist. This aligns much more closely with democratic values,&#8221; Lee added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts emphasized to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the importance of developing public consensus regarding the architectural and socio-cultural value of public monuments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee said that thorough discussions should take place about the location, design and size of the flag, adding that such an engagement is necessary to create a meaningful landmark for all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seo Jong-gook, an urban administration professor at Incheon National University, told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Seoul can learn from international examples, such as the planning processes for constructing the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seo pointed out that there was public input in the planning of structures like the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, with opinions gathered over extended periods to decide on locations, types and sizes of facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He noted that an inclusive process ensures that landmarks are deeply rooted in community consensus and are not subject to abrupt changes due to political shifts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEngaging in such thorough planning and consultation processes is crucial for meaningful urban redevelopment, ensuring harmony between existing spaces and historical and symbolic landmarks,\u201d Seo told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-tags\"><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/tag\/culture-society\/\"><span class=\"tag\">Culture &amp; Society<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/tag\/domestic-politics\/\"><span class=\"tag\">Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Seoul Metropolitan Government has withdrawn its controversial plan to install a 100-meter-tall flagpole and an eternal flame at Gwanghwamun Square, following a backlash over the meaning that such national symbols carry. Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced that the city will listen to citizens\u2019 opinions and review the project from scratch while still pursuing the creation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10909,"featured_media":2205761,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,27],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Seoul\u2019s controversial flagpole plan stirs debate about role of national symbols - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Seoul\u2019s controversial flagpole plan stirs debate about role of national symbols - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Seoul Metropolitan Government has withdrawn its controversial plan to install a 100-meter-tall flagpole and an eternal flame at Gwanghwamun Square, following a backlash over the meaning that such national symbols carry. Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced that the city will listen to citizens\u2019 opinions and review the project from scratch while still pursuing the creation [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-11T09:19:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-07-16T09:48:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-25.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1870\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"joonha.park\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Joon Ha Park\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"joonha.park\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/655b61707429f29f2eaaf3953fc9a70e\"},\"headline\":\"Seoul\u2019s controversial flagpole plan stirs debate about role of national symbols\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-07-11T09:19:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-07-16T09:48:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/\"},\"wordCount\":1215,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/seouls-controversial-flagpole-plan-stirs-debate-about-role-of-national-symbols\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-25.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Culture &amp; 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