April 24, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor Group’s plan to build a new headquarters building is facing increasing resistance from Buddhist monks and the congregation of Bongeun Temple.

Hyundai Motor Group is planning to build the Global Business Center as a 105-story, 569-meter skyscraper in southern Seoul across the COEX complex. If built according to the plans, the building will be the tallest in the country.

The site is located about 500 meters from Bongeun Temple. The monks of the temple, which was founded in 794 and relocated to the current location in the mid-16th century, claim that the planned Hyundai building will cut off morning sunlight.

The temple and Buddhist organizations claim that a lack of sunlight will cause damage to the temple’s buildings and relics stored there. The temple consists of a number of wooden buildings, and is the home to 20 relics protected by the national and Seoul city governments.

On Feb. 14, monks and members of the temple’s congregation interrupted the meeting Hyundai Motor organized to brief residents of the area on its plans.

Last year Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to which the temple belongs, filed criminal complaints against Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo and President Park Geun-hye alleging irregularities in the permit process.

The temple has also said that it will raise the issue with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon should the plans be approved.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)