The Korea Heritage Service says it respects Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Seoul city council, which found that easing development regulations outside national heritage preservation zones without first consulting the agency was unlawful.

Earlier on Thursday, the top court confirmed the validity of the revised ordinance, from which the city council deleted a provision in September 2023 that had limited construction outside such zones.

The court said a related law does not require consultation when the areas concerned lie outside heritage preservation zones.

Construction was previously restricted to 100 meters beyond the outer limits of national heritage sites, following consultations between the city and the heritage agency.

The issue recently drew attention after the city approved construction of high-rise buildings in a redevelopment area approximately 180 meters from the UNESCO-listed Jongmyo Shrine.

The heritage agency said it will seek to maintain the status of the Joseon Dynasty royal ancestral shrine as a UNESCO World Heritage site by coordinating with its Cultural Heritage Committee, UNESCO and other relevant agencies.