The Millennium Gate

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Coordinates: 37°33′41.85″N 126°53′27.89″E / 37.5616250°N 126.8910806°E / 37.5616250; 126.8910806
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The Millennium Gate
천년의 문 (Korean)
Map
Alternative namesSeoul Ring
General information
StatusNever built
TypeFerris wheel
Observation tower
Concert hall
Gallary
Coordinates37°33′41.85″N 126°53′27.89″E / 37.5616250°N 126.8910806°E / 37.5616250; 126.8910806
Height
Architectural200 m (656 ft)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators4
Design and construction
Architect(s)Lee Eunseok
O'pus Architects
Structural engineerArup Group
Website
seoulring.com

The Millennium Gate (Korean: 천년의 문), sometimes called Seoul Ring, was envisioned in 2000 as the world's first mega-sized ring-shaped architectural structure. It was planned to be erected along the Han River in Sangam-dong, Seoul, in conjunction with the new millennium (Millennium), and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup (2002 FIFA World Cup).[1][2]

International design competition[edit]

Lee O-young, the chairman of the New Millennium Preparation Committee, planned, and Shin Hyun-woong, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and chairman of the Woongjin Foundation, led the international competition for the design of the Millennium Gate.[1] This was a national symbol project during the Kim Dae-jung government era. In October 1999, a total of 181 teams, including various renowned architects and artists like Nam June Paik, registered, and 36 design proposals were ultimately submitted. In February 2000, a panel of nine judges, comprising the highest authorities in South Korea in the fields of design, structure, landscaping, urban planning, and design (Jang Seok-woong (Chairman), Kang Seok-won, Ko Joo-seok, Kim Jin-kyun, Oh Hwi-young, Yu Wan, Lee Woo-jin, Ji Soon, Han Do-ryong), unanimously selected a joint proposal by Lee Eunseok, a professor in the Department of Architecture at Kyung Hee University, and O'pus Architects (Woo Dae-sung, Kim Kwang-woo, Lee Gye-soon, Jo Sung-ki, Kim Hyung-jong).[1] This work was recognized for its potential and excellence as a landmark of Seoul.[1] Furthermore, Jang Seok-woong, the chairman of the jury, stated, '(The selected work) well represents the symbolism, historicity, and identity of the Millennium Gate.[3]

The winning design for the Millennium Gate was a circular ring symbolizing an open gate. It was to feature the world's first Ferris wheel with a diameter of 200 meters, along with an observation deck, concert hall, and gallery, all integrated into one architectural structure.[2][3] This building was planned to be completed on a site of about 100,000 pyeong (approximately 330,000 square meters) in the 'Peace Park' on Nanjido, Sangam-dong, in time for the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. It was intended to be utilized as a global tourist attraction alongside the main World Cup stadium.[1][2][3]

Composition of the Jury[1][edit]

  • Jang Seok-woong(chairman) from Hanyang University College of Engineering, who has received the Presidential Award and is associated with the Kim Joong-up Architecture Research Institute. He has served as the President of the Korean Institute of Architects and is an Emeritus Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects. He is also a Director of the Kim Swoo Geun Culture Foundation.
  • Kang Seok-won from Hongik University's Department of Architecture and Art has received the Presidential Award, French National Order of Merit (Commander), and the Order of Cultural Merit of the Republic of Korea (Okkwan Medal). He is a Gold Medalist of the Korean Institute of Architects, a French National Certified Architect, and an Architect in Canberra, Australia. He has served as an Honorary Member of the World Congress of Architects in Seoul, President of the Korea-France Cultural Association, President of the Korean Institute of Architects, and as a Professor at both Hongik University and Korea University.
  • Ko Joo-seok, an Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture at Wageningen University, Netherlands, has also served as a Full Professor of Architecture at Texas Tech University, USA, and a Professor at Ewha Womans University. He has received the President's Award of the International Association of Landscape Architecture, the Korean Landscape Design Award, and the Bradford Williams Award.
  • Kim Jin-gyun from Seoul National University and MIT has served as President of the Architectural Institute of Korea, the Korean Educational Facilities Society, and the Federation of Institutes of Korean Architecture (FIKA). He has received the Korean Educational Facilities Society Merit Award, the Architectural Institute of Korea Merit Award, and the Prime Minister's Commendation Organization Merit Award.
  • Oh Hwi-young from Hanyang University's Department of Architectural Engineering, with a background in Business Administration from Illinois State University, USA, has served as a Professor and Honorary Professor at Hanyang University Graduate School of Urban Studies. He has been a Landscape Officer for the City of Chicago, the Blue House, and a Founder of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Yeungnam University and the Graduate School of Environment at Seoul National University. He is a Founder of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture and the Korean Environmental Planning and Design Association and has been an Organizing Committee Member of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA).
  • Yoo Wan, an Honorary Professor in the Department of Urban Engineering at Yonsei University, has served as the President of the Urban Planning Society.
  • Lee Woo-jin from Korea University's Department of Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, with a background from Purdue University, USA, has worked at the Technical Research Institute of Samsung Construction and served as a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Gongju National University and the School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at Korea University.
  • Ji Soon from Seoul National University's Department of Architectural Engineering is the first female architect in South Korea. She founded the Ilyang Architects Office and has served as a Professor in the College of Home Economics at Yonsei University, a Director of the Korean Institute of Architects, an Honorary Director of the Korean Association of Women Architects, and has received the Korean Architecture Culture Award Grand Prize and the Cho Pyeong Architecture Award.
  • Han Do-ryong from Seoul National University's Department of Applied Arts and as Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Graduate School of Industrial Arts at Hongik University. He is an Honorary Professor at the College of Fine Arts, Hongik University, and a first Cultural Diplomacy Advisory Committee Member. He has received four consecutive special selections at the National Art Exhibition of Korea, worked on the design and supervision of the Korean Pavilion at the Montreal Expo, Canada, with Kim Swoo-geun, and participated in the display work for the Seoul Expo. He has served as the President of the Korean Society of Contemporary Design and received the Dongtan Industrial Medal, the Silver Tower Industrial Medal, and has been inducted into the Designers Hall of Fame.

Winners[edit]

Lee Eunseok[edit]

Lee Eunseok graduated from the Department of Architecture at Hongik University and is a French registered architect (Architecte DPLG) with a degree from École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville. He was a student of Henri Ciriani, who is known as the successor of Le Corbusier. He also obtained a Doctorate in Art History from Panthéon-Sorbonne University, Paris 1. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Architecture at Kyung Hee University and has served as the President of the Architecture Design Institute of Korea, the Chief Architectural Advisor for Sejong City, and a member of the Korean Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA) qualification examination committee.[2][4] In 1995, he participated in the international design competition for the Korean American Museum of Art and Culture Center in Los Angeles, USA. Competing against 475 teams from 68 countries, he became the first Korean to win first place in an international architectural design competition, judged by panelists including Richard Meier, Michael Graves, Robert A.M. Stern, and Kim Jong-sung, gaining recognition in the architectural world both domestically and internationally.[4] He is the lead architect at Atelier KOMA and has received numerous awards, including the Korean Institute of Architects Award, the Korean Architectural Design Association Grand Prize, the Church Architecture Culture Award, and architecture awards from Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Busan, Daegu, Gyeonggi-do, as well as the Architecture Master Prize and the Architizer A+ Awards.[2][4]

O'pus Architects[edit]

Woo Dae-sung, Kim Kwang-woo, Lee Gye-soon, Jo Sung-ki, and Kim Hyung-jong from O'pus Architects Office were also winners.[2] Architect Jo Sung-ki, after completing his studies at Hongik University and its graduate school, worked on projects such as the 'Seoul National University Management Research Building,' 'Seoul Arts College Ansan Campus,' and the 'LG Sangnok Resort Project' at Creation Architecture.[5] He is a featured artist at the Korea Architecture Expo, particularly interested in church architecture and mixed-use projects like residential-commercial complexes. On the other hand, architect Woo Dae-sung, after graduating from Hongik University and its graduate school, served as a naval facilities officer, was active in the Korean Institute of Architects, and the Organizing Committee for the 1999 Architecture Culture Year. He earned his doctorate with a thesis on 'A Study on the Characteristics of Monumental Urban Architecture' and was active in DOCOMOMO Korea, an organization dedicated to the conservation of modern architecture.[5] Meanwhile, architect Kim Hyung-jong, after graduating from Dongguk University and gaining practical experience at Top Architects Research Institute, worked on design projects such as 'Gangchon Ski Resort,' 'Yonsei University Sangnam Management Building,' and 'Jeonju Riviera Hotel' at Jang Architecture and Creation Architecture following his graduation from the graduate school of Hongik University.[5]

2nd Place[edit]

  • Professor Lim Chae-jin + Lee Sang Environmental Architecture Office (임채진 교수 + 이상환경건축사사무소)

3rd Place[edit]

  • SPACE Group (공간종합건축사사무소)
  • Heerim Architects (희림종합건축사사무소)

Media attention[edit]

Domestic media[edit]

The Millennium Gate was introduced in the domestic media as a landmark to represent Seoul, akin to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York.[2]

On February 16, 2000, KBS News reported on the winning design of the international competition for the Millennium Gate, set to be built in the Peace Park in Sangam-dong.[6]

On December 4, 2000, MBC News showed computer-simulated images of the 'Millennium Gate,' or 'Seoul's Ring,' planned to be built near the main Olympic Stadium in Sangam-dong along the Han River. The structure, to be made of steel, was said to boast a unique 360-degree circular shape with a diameter of 200 meters, unparalleled in the world. This circular structure symbolizes the desires of our people for creation and emptiness, circulation and completion, and unification. Inside 'Seoul's Ring,' which is expected to be finished with glass, plans included four gondolas and 2000 steps. From the top, one could enjoy views of Seoul, the beautiful sunset over the West Sea, and on clear days, even see as far as Gaeseong. Reporter Lee Seon-jae introduced the Millennium Gate, saying, 'Foreigners entering from Gimpo or Incheon International Airport will encounter Korea for the first time with the mysterious image of Seoul's Ring, along with the elegant arch of Banghwa Bridge visible behind me, and they will remember Seoul with the image of a circle when they leave.'[7]

On December 5, 2000, KBS News reported that a model of the Millennium Gate was unveiled, stating that construction of the Millennium Gate, scheduled to begin in March 2000, would be located on a site of 12,000 pyeong (approximately 39,660 square meters). It was described as having a circular structure with a diameter of 200 meters and a thickness of 18 meters. The space was planned to include not only an observation deck but also various facilities such as a contemporary history museum and a cyber history hall.[8]

International media[edit]

The Millennium Gate received international attention in the architectural community and was praised by world-renowned architectural journals.[9] In October 2000, it was featured in France's d'A magazine, and in 2001, Japan's a+u Magazine covered the Millennium Gate.[2] Particularly, this building drew significant attention for its introduction of the 'Super Scale' concept. It was recognized for its grandeur as a monument representing the half-millennium history of Korea and was constructed in conjunction with the international sporting event of the World Cup. It was evaluated for its scale and significance, surpassing major city structures around the world, as a central facility in the Peace Park, reaching over two billion viewers and visitors worldwide. Additionally, it was anticipated to become an important landmark in the megapolis of Seoul, expected to have a tremendous impact. The building was regarded as having the scale to transcend the extensive surrounding environment, including the Han River, the main World Cup stadium, Nanjido, Seongsan Bridge, and numerous apartment complexes.[2]

Structural design[edit]

The large, thin ring structure was unique in the world but presented high construction difficulty due to its complexity. For this reason, Deputy Minister Shin Hyun-woong required the selected designers to work with a world-renowned structural design and wind tunnel testing company. Additionally, in a meeting of related ministry heads, it was decided to increase the budget for the construction of the Millennium Gate from 30 billion won to 55 billion won.[1] The design initially failed three times in wind tunnel tests conducted by RWDI in Canada, but a solution was found with the UK structural design firm Arup Group, known for resolving structural issues of the Sydney Opera House. After ten months of effort, a structural design capable of withstanding earthquakes, winds, and floods that occur once every hundred years was completed.[1]

Project cancellation[edit]

On March 28, 2001, newly appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism, Kim Han-gil, announced the decision not to proceed further with the Millennium Gate construction project. He explained this decision was made 'considering the possibility of securing funds, the current economic situation, the construction period, and public opinion.' Minister Kim explained the project's cancellation was due to the total budget increasing significantly from the original 30 billion won to 55 billion won, but aside from the already secured government funds (8.5 billion won), private funding was uncertain. Additionally, safety concerns arising from wind tunnel test results and design modifications altered the original form of the Millennium Gate.[10]

Professor Lee Eunseok learned about the project's cancellation through a newspaper while wrapping up his work, as announced in the Chosun Ilbo on April 5, 2001. He stated, 'I never imagined the project would be halted as the issues of stability and form alteration were already resolved,' and 'I officially received the notice of suspension only five days after the decision was announced.' He added, 'The Millennium Gate was a project that allowed participation from the entire architectural community and was selected through a fair process involving authoritative judges. It's utterly incomprehensible to suddenly halt a national project that has been underway for over a year.'[11]

At that time, the government abruptly canceled the project and did not pay the 900 million won of design fees, which was 80% completed, to the five domestic and international companies involved.[1] Additionally, the foundation leading the project was disbanded, and 4.8 billion won of grants were forcibly reclaimed.[1] In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the 'Millennium Gate Foundation' must pay the architects 880 million won in service fees and more than 1 billion won in interest.[1] However, the foundation argued it couldn't pay as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had reclaimed the remaining government subsidy, rendering it financially incapable.[12] The Ministry maintained that the parties involved in the lawsuit should resolve the issue.[12] Later, it stated that it couldn't pay due to the completion of the statutory limitation (5 years) under the National Finance Act. In response, Woo Dae-sung, representative of O'pus Architects, filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the payment of the implementation design fee, continuing to pursue the case. Heerim Architects & Planners was the company that reviewed all materials of the Millennium Gate during its lawsuit.[13] Nine years after the project's cancellation, in November 2010, they received the design compensation fee following a Supreme Court ruling in their favor.[1][12][14]

Subsequently, centered around Shin Hyun-woong, chairman of the Woongjin Foundation, Professor Lee Eunseok, representative Woo Dae-sung, and several cultural figures formed 'Cheonsamo,' a group supporting the construction of the Millennium Gate. Cheonsamo, based on Seoul Ring, the English nickname for the Millennium Gate, created the seoulring.com website and produced commemorative postcards and two types of Seoul Ring promotional stickers, continuing to promote the Millennium Gate project to this day.[2][9]

Plagiarism dispute[edit]

On March 8, 2023, Seoul Metropolitan Government held a press briefing to announce the 'Seoul Ring Zero Implementation Plan,' intending to construct 'Seoul Ring Zero' in Haneul Park, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, with construction starting in 2025.[15] In response, the Korea Architects Institute criticized that Seoul Ring and the Millennium Gate are similar in concept, form, name, and even the location of construction, yet there was no mention of the Millennium Gate's design, labeling this as 'an unethical act ignoring copyright' and accusing it of plagiarism.[16] Seoul City, in a clarification statement, stated that Seoul Ring is not a plagiarism of the Millennium Gate's design, as the two share only the circular shape and nothing else, particularly noting differences in the number of gondolas, rotation methods, and functions.[17] Additionally, it was stated that the idea for Seoul Ring was proposed by Mayor Oh Se-hoon.[9]

Professor Lee Eunseok, a co-winner of the Millennium Gate design competition, stated that he had submitted a document to Seoul City in 2022 titled "Five Design Tasks to Realize Seoul Ring", and conveyed that for Seoul Ring to be successful, it should not be a typical Ferris wheel. He also emphasized that Seoul City and Mayor Oh Se-hoon should take the design and copyright issues seriously. He expressed his willingness to share his expertise for the successful completion of Seoul Ring if the copyright issues are resolved, explaining that the ethic and role of an architect is not to undermine projects but to successfully build them.[18]

Criticism towards Seoul City and Mayor Oh Se-hoon intensified in the architectural community. Following the Korea Architects Institute, the Korea Institute of Registered Architects also issued a critical statement,[19] and the prominent architectural portals SPACE and C3KOREA covered the Seoul Ring plagiarism controversy.[20][21] Young architects, architecture professors, and senior figures in the architecture field continued to criticize Seoul City's design plagiarism.[22][23][24][25][26][13][27]

On May 11, 2023, Mayor Oh Se-hoon, at the 27th National Women Architects Conference, addressed the Seoul Ring plagiarism controversy that has been causing a stir in the architectural community. He explained that he came up with the idea as he didn't want to make an ordinary Ferris wheel and that he only set the basic concept of Seoul Ring after consulting with the Millennium Gate design team. He claimed to have invited the designers of the Millennium Gate to join, but they refused.[28] However, the designers of the Millennium Gate clarified that they never received nor rejected any such request.[29]

On December 3, 2023, Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the Seoul Twin Eye (tentative name) consortium will proceed with a project to create a complex cultural facility called 'Seoul Twin Eye' in Peace Park within the Sangam World Cup Park.[30] This facility will include a Ferris wheel, concert hall, exhibition hall, fountains, and convenience facilities, based on the proposal submitted to Seoul City. Heerim Architects & Planners, UNStudio, and ARUP Group are announced as the designers of Seoul Twin Eye.[31] Interestingly, ARUP Group was the company responsible for the structural design of the Millennium Gate. Heerim Architects & Planners was the company that ranked third in the Millennium Gate competition and was the architectural firm that reviewed all materials of the Millennium Gate during its design cost lawsuit.[13] Therefore, when Seoul City unveiled 'Seoul Ring Zero,' it was speculated that the unknown domestic architectural firm that drew the perspective drawing could be Heerim Architects & Planners.[13] Even the building layout of the announced 'Seoul Twin Eye' is identical to the layout of the proposal submitted by Heerim Architects & Planners in the Millennium Gate competition. It's worth mentioning that Seoul City is employing unusual project names such as Seoul Ring 'Zero' and Seoul 'Twin Eye', which might lead to suspicions that they are trying to sidestep possible allegations of plagiarism.[32][33] Thus, considering the details of the project's progress, it appears that Seoul City and Heerim Architects & Planners are colluding to plagiarize the Millennium Gate for the project's advancement. This situation could potentially create significant controversy within the international architectural community.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 신현웅 (2021-12-18). "[세상사는 이야기] `천년의 문` 비가(悲歌)". 매일경제.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Seoulring.com".
  3. ^ a b c 송영주 (2000-02-17). "평화와 행복, 통일의 길로... "열려라 천년의 문"". Hankook Ilbo.
  4. ^ a b c "Atelier KOMA".
  5. ^ a b c "오퍼스건축 조성기, 우대성, 김형종의 판교주택".
  6. ^ "상암동 평화의공원 세워질 천년의 문 당선작 발표". KBS뉴스. 2000-02-16.
  7. ^ 이선재 (2000-12-04). "천년의 문. 서울의 고리 컴퓨터로 시연[이선재]". MBC뉴스.
  8. ^ "월드컵 조형물 '천년의 문'". KBS뉴스. 2000-12-05.
  9. ^ a b c 김인수 (2023-03-19). "오세훈 아이디어 담았다는 서울링...때아닌 표절 논란, 왜 [핫이슈]". 매일경제.
  10. ^ 이기환 (2001-03-28). "'천년의 문'건립사업 백지화". Kyunghyang Shinmun.
  11. ^ 김봉기 (2001-04-05). "'천년의 문' 건립취소로 '허탈'". The Chosun Ilbo.
  12. ^ a b c 김유민 (2023-03-16). "'서울링' 이전에 '천년의문' 있었다". Seoul Shinmun.
  13. ^ a b c d "공공기관, 서울시가 대놓고 표절 중인 서울링 대관람차! 천년의 문 몰랐던 게 아니라며? 뭐가 문제인지 건축가들이 직접 이야기해봤습니다! [아키리즘 블랙]". PHM TV. 2023-04-04.
  14. ^ 신현웅 (2023-04-03). "[기고] '서울링'은 원작자 명예를 존중해야". The Chosun Ilbo.
  15. ^ Seoul City (2023-03-08). "(기자설명회) 서울시, 마포구 상암동 하늘공원에 `서울링 제로` 조성...`25년 착공 목표". 서울특별시.
  16. ^ Korea Architects Institute (2023-03-08). "[보도자료]서울시의 '서울링' 건립 계획에 대한 우려". 새건축사협의회(Korea Architects Institute).
  17. ^ Seoul City (2023-03-16). "[해명자료] 서울시 추진 '서울링' 표절 논란 ..."20여년 전 기획·무산된 '천년의 문'과 유사"". 서울특별시 대변인.
  18. ^ 채민기 (2023-04-03). "발표 일주일 만에... 표절 시비 휘말린 '서울링'". The Chosun Ilbo.
  19. ^ 장영호 (2023-03-23). "FOCUS 건축사의 건축저작권_'서울링' 표절 논란..."건축저작권자 권리 침해 낡은 관행 바뀌어야"". 건축사신문.
  20. ^ "[에디토리얼] 디지털은 물리적 공간을 어떻게 변화시키는가?". SPACE. 2023-12-01.
  21. ^ "'서울링'에서 '그레이트 한강'까지, 서울이 들썩인다(From 'Seoul Ring' to 'Great Han River,' Seoul is buzzing)". C3KOREA. 2023-03-21.
  22. ^ 함인선 (2023-03-22). "독보적 랜드마크? '서울링' 비용과 안전을 우려한다". 한겨레신문.
  23. ^ "하늘공원 건립예정 '서울링' 표절 논란 [뉴스in뉴스]". KBS News. 2023-03-22.
  24. ^ 남상문 (2023-03-30). "모든 창작품이 그렇듯 건축물 역시 저작권은 건축가에게 있다. 하지만 서울링 관련 서울시의 부주의한 일처리는 우리 사회에 건축 저작권 개념이 전무함을 보여준다". sangmoon_architect.
  25. ^ 류춘수 (2023-04-04). "65) 이른바 Seoul Ring은 '천년의 문'의 표절이 아닌가?". 류춘수TV.
  26. ^ 서현 (2023-04-26). "철학자의 도시, 아니면". JoongAng Ilbo.
  27. ^ 홍재승 (2023-04-04). "서울링, 노들섬 개발... 한강 정체성과 생태 회복이 중심돼야[건축이 만드는 공간/홍재승]". The Dong-a Ilbo.
  28. ^ "오세훈, 서울링 표절 논란 직접 해명..."천년의문 설계 자문"". 뉴스1. 2023-05-12.
  29. ^ 우대성 (2023-05-15). "며칠 전 오세훈 시장은 전국여성건축사대회에 참석해서 "당시 설계하신 분이 표절 의구심을 갖게 돼 조인(합류)을 하라고 해도 기분이 틀어지셔서 안 하겠다고 하신 상태"라고 말했다는 보도를 접했다". woo_daeseung.
  30. ^ "상암 평화의공원에 서울 랜드마크 대관람차 본격화…제안접수". Yonhap News Agency. 2023-12-03.
  31. ^ "서울링 설계, 유엔스튜디오·에이럽·희림건축 등 세계적 설계회사 참여". 매일경제. 2023-12-04.
  32. ^ 김종균 (2023-03-03). "서울 상암동에 대관람차 '서울링' 만든다. (A Giant Ferris Wheel 'Seoul Ring' to be Built in Sangam-dong, Seoul.)". YTN.
  33. ^ "상암 평화의공원에 서울 랜드마크 대관람차 본격화…제안접수 (Full-scale Development of Seoul Landmark Giant Ferris Wheel in Sangam Peace Park… Proposal Submission Underway)". Yonhap News Agency. 2023-12-03.
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