User:Tylerlawrence911/Seoul Ring

"Seoul Ring" is the English nickname for "Millennium Gate," the world's first circular building that was planned to be built in Sangam-dong, Seoul, along the Han River as part of the new millennium and the 2002 FIFA World Cup during the Kim Dae-jung administration.

Millennium Gate Design International Competition
It is a national symbol project planned by the Millennium Preparation Committee, chaired by Lee Yeoryeong, during the Kim Dae-jung administration and organized by Shin Hyun-ung, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the director of the Woongjin Foundation. In October 1999, 36 works by famous architects and artists, including Nam June Paik, were submitted. In February 2000, a panel of nine judges, including Chang Seok-woong and Kang Seok-hee, unanimously selected the joint work of Lee Eunseok (professor of architecture at Kyung Hee University) and Woo Dae-sung (representative of Opus Architecture Firm) as an excellent piece that could become a landmark of Seoul.

The Millennium Gate was a circular building with a diameter of 200m that symbolized an open gate, shaped like a ring, and the world's first combination of Ferris wheel and observatory at the time. This building was planned to be on a site of approximately 100,000 square meters in Nanji Island 'Peace Park' in Sangam-dong, where the 2002 FIFA World Cup was held, and was planned to be used as an international tourist attraction along with the World Cup main stadium. .

The Joint Winners of the Millennium Gate Design Competition
Lee Eunseok earned a doctoral degree in art history from Sorbonne University, Paris, and graduated the Department of Architecture at Hongik University. He is also a licensed architect (Architecte DPLG) who graduated from École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Currently, he is a professor of architecture at Kyung Hee University and has served as the president of the Architecture Design Institute of Korea. He is also the representative architect of Atelier KOMA and has won numerous domestic and international architecture awards such as the Korean Institute of Architects Award, Church Architecture Award, and Architecture Master Prize (AMP) and Architizer A+ Award for his works, including Saemoonan Church and Son Yang Won Memorial. .

Kim Kwang-woo, Lee Gye-soon, Cho Sung-ki, and Kim Hyung-jong of Opus Architecture Firm. Architect Cho Sung-ki graduated from the Department of Architecture and the Graduate School of Hongik University and completed projects such as the Seoul National University Business Research Center, Seoul Arts College Ansan Campus, and LG Sangrokwon project at Changjo Architects. He has a depth of experience in projects with complex functions, including church architecture and mixed-use buildings, and was selected as a participating artist for the first Korean Architecture Biennale. Architect Woo Dae-sung graduated from the Department of Architecture and the Graduate School of Hongik University, served as a naval facilities officer, and was active in the Korean Institute of Architects and the organizing committee of the 99 Architecture and Culture Forum. He received a doctoral degree for his research on the characteristics of urban memorial architecture and was also involved in the modern architecture preservation organization, Docomomo Korea. Architect Kim Hyung-jong graduated from Dongguk University and worked at the Top Architects Research Institute. He also graduated from the Graduate School of Hongik University and worked on the designs of projects such as the Gangchon Ski Resort, Yonsei University Sangnam Business Building, and Jeonju L'Elvira Hotel at Changjo Architects. .

The Key Points from the Judging Panels of the Winner of the Millennium Gate
Panel 1

The ring represents the principle of infinite and symbiotic harmony between Yin and Yang. This can be found from the basic elements of the micro world to the fundamental components of the macroscopic order of the universe, and even in the symbols that represent them. The Ring, pointing towards the new millennium, will become a symbol of another eternity.

Panel 2

The perfect shape of the 'O' has represented various meanings through human culture. As a symbol, the Ring and the Circle, as spiritual elements, have been used as a means of expressing the human spiritual world as a symbol of eternity, with a promise of trust, as they combine the beginning and the end into one element. The Millennium Gate, which will become a symbol of a new culture, must be understood as another culture that is one with nature, stemming from the attitude of dominating nature.

Panel 3

Along with the spiritual symbol of '0 (zero)', the ring, as a material element, has emerged as a result that contains the technology that heralds a new civilization, serving as a standard of human life enjoyment. This is due to its completeness in form and as the embodiment of perfect technology.

Panel 4

The Millennium Gate will have infinite possibilities and will be located between the 'Han River' and the 'Park of Peace.' It will be a container that can hold all forms of festivals taking place on the planet and will become a 'landmark' and a 'beacon' for people around the world on the lifeline of the Han River. Additionally, new art will be born for the Millennium Gate, serving as a symbol of Seoul and a symbol of the 21st century.

Introduction to the Millennium Gate in Korea
The Millennium Gate has been introduced in the domestic media as a landmark that represents Seoul, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York. On December 4, 2000, MBC News introduced the Millennium Gate, also known as Seoul Ring, with a computer-generated image. It is a steel structure with a diameter of 200m, the only circular building of its kind in the world. The circular shape symbolizes the Korean people's aspiration for creation and completion, circulation and unity. The interior of Seoul Ring, which will be covered in glass, will include four generations of Gondolas and 2,000 steps. Standing on the observation deck at the top, visitors will be able to see not only Seoul's skyline and the sunset over the West Sea, but also Kaesong on a clear day. Foreigners coming from Gimpo or Incheon International Airports will see Seoul Ring, which will appear elegantly alongside the Banghwa Bridge behind me, and they will remember Seoul as a circular image as they leave. This will be a mysterious and memorable first encounter with Korea. .

Introduction of the Millennium Gate Overseas
The Millennium Gate received attention from the international architectural community and was praised in world-renowned architectural journals. In October 2000, it was featured in d'A in France, and in 2001, it was covered in a+u Magazine in Japan. The incorporation of super scale was particularly noted. As a monumental structure representing half a millennium of Korean history, and built alongside the World Cup, it was evaluated as having a scale and significance that surpasses the structures of major cities around the world, and will be a core facility of the Peace Park, attracting over 2 billion viewers and visitors worldwide. It is predicted to serve as a symbol of the city, gaining tremendous ripple effects as a tourist attraction and becoming a landmark of the mega city of Seoul. It was evaluated as a massive structure capable of dominating the surrounding environment, which includes the Han River, the World Cup Stadium, Nandido, Sungsan Bridge, and thousands of apartment complexes.

=== The Cancel of the Millennium Gate Project === On March 28, 2001, Kim Han-gil, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, announced that "after considering the possibility of fundraising, current economic conditions, construction period, and public opinion, we have concluded that the construction of the Millennium Gate will no longer be pursued." Minister Kim stated that "the total budget for construction has increased significantly from the initial 30 billion won to 55 billion won, but aside from the 85 billion won already secured from the government, private funding was uncertain, and safety issues were raised during wind tunnel tests, resulting in changes to the original design." He explained the background behind the decision to abandon the project.

Afterward, a group of supporters for the construction of the Millennium Gate was formed, led by Shin Hyun-woong, the chairman of the Woongjae Foundation, and including the winning architect Lee Eun-seok, the representative of Opus Architects Woo Dae-seong, and various figures in the cultural industry. This group, called the "CheonSaMo", created the seoulring.com website, produced commemorative postcards and two types of Seoul Ring promotional stickers to promote the Millennium Gate project. .

The Millennium Gate Online Meme Phenomenon
In 2021, it received renewed attention from the public on social media platforms like Instagram with titles such as 'The landmark that was planned for Seoul but canceled' and 'The architecture that was abandoned in Korea,' along with numerous images of the Millennium Gate.

"Seoul Eye" of Seoul City
On August 8, 2022, the city of Seoul announced that Mayor Oh Se-hoon had unveiled the 'Great Sunset Han River Project' during a visit to Singapore. In particular, it was announced that the world's largest Ferris wheel, the 'Seoul Eye', would be built as part of the project. The mayor stated that the wheel will be constructed on a large scale to capture the beauty of the Han River with its rolling waves and stunning sunsets. .

Announcement of "Seoul Ring ZERO" from Seoul City
On March 8, 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a press conference to explain the "Seoul Ring ZERO Plan." The city announced that it plans to create "Seoul Ring ZERO" in the Sky Park of Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, with a goal to begin construction by 2025. After considering various potential locations, the city determined that Sky Park was the best option in terms of Seoul's representative landscape and symbolic significance. The selection process was narrowed down to Nodul Island and Sky Park, and the decision was made based on comprehensive considerations of the city's gateway symbolism, viewpoint, and balanced development. Seoul Ring ZERO has an innovative design in a ring shape without wheels, and the city ensured stability through consultation with domestic and foreign design companies and experts. It is planned to be a facility that symbolizes humanity and the environment and is expected to boost urban competitiveness and economic power. The city will also explore ways to revitalize the Sangam-dong area, including improving accessibility, and will pursue the project through private investment.

Press Release from Korea Architects Institute
On March 15, 2023, the architects' group, the New Architectural Association, issued a press release stating that "Seoul Ring and Millennium Gate share similar concepts, forms, names, and even construction locations, yet there is no mention of the design of the Millennium Gate in the Seoul city announcement. This is a blatantly unethical act that ignores copyright, and if constructed as it is, it cannot avoid accusations of plagiarism..

Seoul City's Explanation
On March 16, 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that the claim that the design of the Seoul Ring was a plagiarism of the design of the Millennium Gate, which was planned 20 years ago, is not true. The government stated that the design of Seoul Ring is just an example of a direction suggested for the development of a specific design plan, and the basic shape of a large Ferris wheel is a public space that anyone can use. They also said that the allegation of plagiarism is not true.

They also claimed that there is nothing in common between Seoul Ring and the Millennium Gate except for their circular shape. They stated that the Millennium Gate is an architectural structure with only four enclosed cabins, while Seoul Ring is a large observation wheel with 36 cabins that rotate as an amusement facility. Additionally, Seoul city emphasized that there is a difference in that the Millennium Gate rotates from the outside, while Seoul Ring rotates from the inside.

On March 17, 2023, Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated in an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo that while he was in London, he wanted to hear directly from the designers of the London Eye about any possible issues with the structure of the Seoul Ring, but was told that there were no issues. A representative from the London Eye's design firm, Starneth Engineering, told him that the London Eye was built over 20 years ago when materials were heavier, but that technology has since improved and materials have become lighter. Mayor Oh also mentioned the Chinese "Bohai Eye" as a point of reference, which is a ring-shaped observation wheel with a height of 145 meters, and added that the Seoul Ring will be even better. In addition, he revealed that he personally came up with the idea of a ring-shaped observation wheel for the Seoul Ring.

Architect Woo Dae-seong's Position
Architect Woo Dae-seong said in a phone interview with JoongAng Ilbo, "It is difficult to say that this controversy is controversial. It is clearly copying." He added, "If the city needs a symbol, it can be done separately through a design competition. It is impossible to take something that was designed and created by the country 20 years ago and modify it slightly to build it in the same place." He also said, "When Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced in August 2022 that he would build the world's largest observation wheel, Seoul city knew about the Millennium Gate and contacted me and I said not to use the design." .

"As the co-designer of the Millennium Gate, Woo Dae-seong, the CEO of Opus Architects, expressed his frustration in a phone call with Maeil Business Daily about Seoul's statement that "copyright cannot be granted for circles." He said, "The Millennium Gate is the world's first work to perfectly realize a complete circle on a super scale of 200 meters in height, and has originality," explaining the uniqueness of the work..

Professor Lee Eunseok's Position
Co-winner of the design competition for the Millennium Gate, Professor Lee Eunseok expressed his delight and emotion to JoongAng Ilbo in a phone interview, stating that "it is a pleasure and a moving moment to see the Millennium Gate come alive again." He added, "if we are recognized as the original designers, we can provide know-how to create something even better." The professor also revealed that he shared the five design challenges for the creation of the Seoul Ring with Seoul City in November 2022, including the maintenance of a robust circular shape, and argued that the Seoul Ring must be a completely new concept, not just a typical observation wheel. He disagreed with the position of the Korea Architects Institute, saying, "the ethics of architects is not to destroy projects, but to build them well." .

Professor Lee Eun-seok from Kyung Hee University said in a phone interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, "The Millennium Gate was designed as the world's first building that combined a Ferris wheel and an observation deck and was selected in the architectural design competition." He also explained that initially, the Millennium Gate was planned to have 30 gondolas, but the number was reduced to 4 due to the high cost of gondolas. Professor Lee said, "The cost of gondolas was very expensive, and it cost twice as much as originally planned, so the number of gondolas was reduced." He added, "If Mayor Oh Se-hoon cannot protect copyrights while promoting 'Design Seoul,' who can come up with creative ideas? I only want to contribute to achieving a national symbol by being recognized for my copyright." Professor Lee also said, "Seoul Ring is not a simple building in the eyes of the administrative authorities. Without the active participation of a qualified architect with experience in both success and failure after the copyright issue is resolved, it will be difficult to build since it is an advanced building with architectural challenges to overcome." .

Korean Architecture Industry's Position
In the Korean architecture industry, there have also been voices criticizing Seoul City's approach. One mid-level architect said, "It's irresponsible for Seoul City, as a public institution that should protect the design copyright owner, to announce specific designs that have gone through domestic and foreign large-scale amusement park design companies and construction companies for advice, and then say they'll change it if it becomes a problem." .

==== Construction Industry's Position ==== In the construction industry, there is a skeptical view regarding the design and feasibility of the project. The construction industry is also likely to be passive in participating in the Seoul Ring project. Typically, conventional observation wheels have spokes and rails designed to accommodate them, but the ring-shaped design without spokes has a high level of construction difficulty. Domestic construction companies are known to have no experience in designing and constructing ring-shaped observation wheels.

A construction industry official said, "Seoul City has consulted some major construction companies on the technical feasibility of Seoul Ring, but it is uncertain whether there will be construction companies actively bidding when the project is privatized due to difficulties in design and economic evaluation."

Local Residents' Backlash
Local residents are strongly opposed to the Seoul Ring project. They see the city's plan to build a giant observation wheel as an attempt to appease them instead of building a waste incinerator in Mapo district. On the 10th of last month, members of the Democratic Party's Mapo District Committee, local councilors, and residents issued a statement demanding that the plan for the additional waste incinerator be completely abandoned and criticized the Seoul Ring project. They said, "Seoul Ring is nothing more than another deception to divert the attention of local residents and 10 million Seoul citizens" and claimed that "reusing the Seoul Ring, whose completion within the term of office is uncertain, is an attempt to cover up the risk of additional construction of a large-scale waste incineration facility in Mapo district." .