Who Owns the Hallasan View?
Rising Above the Island
A new ordinance passed in June allows apartment buildings in core residential zones to rise from 15 to 25 stories and paves the way for 40-story towers in commercial districts
Officials call it a compressed city strategy to curb sprawl and boost the stalled construction sector, and sixteen recent articles in Yonhap, JejuNews, KBS and others herald promises of growth and density
But transforming the skyline so radically begs the question of who truly holds the right to gaze at Hallasan every morning
Skyline Under Scrutiny
Naver and Tistory bloggers have chimed in with excitement for new rooftop cafes and investment potential, while many more express dismay at losing the unobstructed peak view that once felt like a public treasure
Cultural posts remind readers that Hallasan is woven into Jeju identity, a backdrop to festivals, hikes and daily commutes, so encroaching towers feel like privatizing a shared legacy
Comments range from hope for urban vibrancy to frustration that only high-end units will claim those coveted sightlines
Economic Hopes vs Daily Life
Proponents argue that taller buildings will revitalize real estate, prevent outward sprawl and preserve rural landscapes, echoing officials’ claims in six news features
Yet Jeju faces rising vacancies and outmigration, so critics on community blogs question whether demand exists for another wave of high-rises
Residents worry that shadows, noise and congested roads will outweigh any economic gains and that the everyday value of Hallasan views cannot be measured in square meters
Taking Back the Commons
Inspired by past clashes over high-rise booms in other cities, grassroots groups have launched a Development Watch project to track which council members green-lit the ordinance
They plan to map proposed tower sites against public feedback and historic preservation zones, rallying islanders to defend Hallasan’s skyline as a public commons
Will Jeju’s people uphold a vision beyond capital gains and reclaim the right to a view that belongs to everyone
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