Samcheonggak, a 43-year-old Korean traditional restaurant at the foot of Seoul’s Inwangsan, will turn into a Korean food and cultural complex by 2018.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it plans to select a private operator for the 2017-2019 period, in an aim to refurbish the area as Seoul’s new landmark. It is currently run by the Seoul City’s Sejong Center for Performing Arts.

The city government also plans to spend 10 billion won ($8 million) to renovate by the end of next year the five hanok buildings that constitute Samcheonggak.  Designated by the city as a Modern Cultural Heritage in 2000, the venue is frequented by foreign visitors for its traditional Korean food as well as cultural events such as traditional music, crafts and Korean traditional cuisine cooking classes. It is also popular among locals as a venue for weddings and fine dining as it has a serene view surrounded by a forest.

According to Seoul officials, Samcheonggak’s five hanoks, which can hold up to 430 visitors, will be turned into exhibition halls that display royal cuisine and temple food after the renovation. The biggest one, Ilhwadang, will be used as a venue for events such as family gatherings, business meetings, seminars and weddings.

“We will firstly renovate hanok buildings at Samcheonggak in a bid to provide the best Korean dining and cultural experiences for foreigners from food to shopping, but details will be confirmed once the new business operator is decided,” an official said.

Built in 1972, Samcheonggak has witnessed some of Korea’s most dramatic and historic moments.

During the military regime, it was mostly used for clandestine meetings of high-ranking government officials.

Many important political and diplomatic events were held there as well, including the banquet for the landmark Joint Statement between North and South Korea in 1973.

In more recent years, however, Samcheonggak has suffered from poor management and decreasing sales. It closed down several times. In 2000, the Seoul City acquired it for 22.7 billion won.

Since 2009, Sejong Center for Performing Arts has been operating it -- at a deficit for the past three years.  

Earlier this year, it was revealed that some Seoul City officials had frequently eaten at Samcheonggak, paying nothing or a small portion of the bill.

The city government said in March that it removed those officials from their positions.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)