A late Joseon era underground drain discovered in central Seoul early this year is poised to become a cultural asset for the capital city.
 
The Seoul Metropolitan government said Friday that it plans to designate the Taepyeongno 2-ga drain as a cultural monument in February of next year. 
 
The city government said it will go through the formal procedure which will include the collection of public opinions by January 30 and a review by the city’s cultural asset committee.
 
The drain was discovered in March during the refurbishment project of the Seoul City Hall subway station on line No.1. 
 
Presumed to be built more than 100 years ago, the drain features a concrete structure in the shape of a half circle arch or reverse trapezoid. Other underground drains in the city have been previously designated as cultural monuments, such as the ones under Seoul Square and Namdaemunno road featuring circle- and oval-shaped concrete structures.