Editorial Connecting Paldalmun City Wall for Restoring Suwon Hwaseong's Original Form

Suwon City is pursuing the 'Paldalmun City Wall Connection Project' to restore the city wall (304m long) between Namsumun, Paldalmun, and Paldalsan. The section between Namsumun, Paldalmun, and Paldalsan was demolished during the Japanese colonial period to build a road. Many citizens welcome the project, saying that when the Paldalmun city wall is connected, the original form of Suwon Hwaseong built by King Jeongjo can be recovered. In particular, access to Paldalmun, which has been isolated like an island in the city, will become possible. Citizens and tourists will be able to enter Paldalmun, which is Treasure No. 402.

Jangcheongmun, the north gate of Suwon Hwaseong, became a tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors in 2006 when one severed side was completely connected and the other side had an overpass installed. This process was recorded in an article titled 'Kim Chung-young's Suwon Microscope (7) - Connecting Jangcheongmun City Wall' published in this newspaper on February 22. "If one severed side is completely connected and the other side has an overpass installed, it seemed we could solve the traffic problem and also save Jangcheongmun, which had become an island."

The author recalled that the Jangcheongmun city wall connection construction faced criticism. The construction caused traffic congestion throughout Suwon's old downtown area all day long. However, the author now finds comfort watching many citizens and tourists enter and leave the fortress through Jangcheongmun. The author expressed pride, saying "The Jangcheongmun city wall connection recovered Hwaseong's pride."

The Paldalmun city wall connection project is also facing difficulties due to opposition from some residents. Some residents claim that the market created by King Jeongjo will be demolished. However, Suwon City counters that the market was originally outside the city wall, and its current appearance is an expansion to where the city wall stood after the wall was demolished.

Currently, Suwon City is proceeding with land compensation for the restoration project site. The total project cost is approximately 250 billion won, with compensation accounting for 70 percent. This is because the land is in a very expensive area. To date, 2,422.7㎡ (Sections 1-3, 13 lots) in the Paldal-ro 2-ga area has been compensated. The remaining 387.2㎡ (Section 4, 2 lots) will be submitted for 'seizure decision' to the Gyeonggi Provincial Land Expropriation Committee. According to the seizure decision, the city plans to deposit the seizure compensation amount in June-July and transfer ownership.

The problem is the merchants in buildings who refuse to relocate despite ownership transfer being completed. The city plans to file eviction lawsuits and enforce mandatory removal if these residents continue to refuse relocation. However, before that, the city said it will continue communicating with the residents, find common ground, and minimize friction. We hope that Suwon City and merchants will pool their wisdom to prevent the worst-case scenario of forced removal.

When the Paldalmun city wall is restored, two enemy bastions, Namammun, and Namgongsimdon that were located here will also be revived. Connecting the Paldalmun city wall, which was forcibly damaged during the Japanese colonial period, is a project to recover the original form of Suwon Hwaseong that was forcibly damaged during Japanese rule. We anticipate smooth implementation.