Documents being prepared; designation could block construction after review

A view of Haeunjeongsa temple [Haeunjeongsa]
A view of Haeunjeongsa temple [Haeunjeongsa]

Haeunjeongsa temple, which has repeatedly challenged the Udong District 3 redevelopment project in Haeundae-gu, Busan, as a violation of law and principle, said Monday it plans to submit documents to the Busan city government soon to seek designation as a "traditional temple historical and cultural preservation zone."

Haeunjeongsa, located in Haeundae-gu, was registered as a traditional temple by the Busan city government in 2015.

The temple is now preparing the required documents for the designation, including a statement of reasons for the application and a list of assets along with proof of real estate ownership. Once the documents are submitted, the Busan city government will convene the Traditional Temple Preservation Committee to review the application.

Under the Act on the Preservation and Support of Traditional Temples, a traditional temple historical and cultural preservation zone may be designated within 300 meters of the outer boundary of a traditional temple's precincts by the city or provincial governor, either on their own authority or at the request of the temple's head monk. If the intended use, scale or form of a building is deemed unsuitable for protecting the temple and its practice environment or preserving the surrounding landscape, construction may be denied following a review by the Traditional Temple Preservation Committee, pursuant to Article 10, Paragraph 4 of the act.

"The redevelopment project under way in the Udong 299 area of Haeundae-gu is being pushed forward unilaterally by the Haeundae-gu district office, the redevelopment association and Hyundai E&C," the temple said, adding that "the rights to views, sunlight and religious practice that were promised to Haeunjeongsa must be honored." The temple added that "all that needs to be done is to create a mandatory green zone in front of the temple and establish a small park," and that it would "make clear through the heritage preservation zone designation that Haeunjeongsa is a traditional temple protected by law."

The temple also rebuffed suggestions that it was seeking money from the project. "Despite the nationwide sunset clause that took effect in August 2019, we opened roughly 33,000 square meters of temple-owned land inside Jangji Park to the public as a park rather than pursuing apartment development — yet some association members seem to think the temple is demanding a large sum of money," it said. "That is simply not true."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com