Suwon City Makes All-Out Effort to Secure Budget for 'Hanok Village' Development

As Suwon City pursues the enactment of a hanok support ordinance, the project to develop a hanok village (or hanok cluster) in the heart of the downtown area is gaining momentum. However, the implementation is expected to face difficulties due to the failure to secure budgets, including national government funding.

On the 23rd of last month, Suwon City announced the legislative notice for the 'Suwon Hanok Support Ordinance,' which establishes the legal grounds to support costs for constructing and renovating hanoks within the Suwon Hwaseong Type 1 District Unit Plan area.

Regarding the legislative intent, the city explained that the ordinance was prepared to establish support grounds for preserving, maintaining, and fostering hanoks that embody Korea's unique beauty and charm.

According to the ordinance draft, subsidies and loan support for construction and renovation costs are provided only for hanoks in the Suwon Hwaseong Type 1 District Unit Plan area or areas designated and announced as urban planning projects by the mayor.

For new hanok construction, up to 50 million won in subsidies or loans are provided within 50% of construction costs. For major renovations, up to 30 million won in subsidies (up to 40 million won in loans) are supported. In particular, loan funds are interest-free, with a 3-year grace period followed by equal installments over 10 years.

A separate hanok committee will be established to deliberate and make decisions on matters concerning the preservation, construction, and development of hanoks. The committee will be composed of around 20 members, including the vice mayor as chairperson, hanok-related city officials, city council members, and hanok experts.

Through this ordinance, if traditional hanok construction becomes active, the city plans to designate a 'hanok village' and develop specialized streets such as old alleyways, parks, and other infrastructure facilities. In particular, the city is reportedly considering designating a separate hanok district (Type 1 District Unit Plan) near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.

The city plans to submit the ordinance to the Suwon City Council next month, with the aim of implementing it as early as April. Along with the hanok village development, the city plans to create a traditional culture street along old alleyways to provide attractions for visitors to Suwon Hwaseong.

However, securing the substantial funds needed to support hanok construction appears challenging. Currently, the status of national strategic projects for Suwon Hwaseong restoration remains uncertain, and the enactment of special legislation for world cultural heritage preservation and restoration has stalled.

Moreover, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon, who visited Suwon on the 21st, stated that "(budget support for hanok villages, etc.) is a matter to be discussed with the Cultural Heritage Administration, and since there is no need to rush, we will review it over time."

Accordingly, the city plans to make an all-out effort to secure budgets by sufficiently explaining to relevant government agencies and regional National Assembly members the necessity and future value of this project.