t was originally built to integrate broadcasting transmission towers scattered throughout Seoul, and Dongyang Broadcasting, Dong-A Broadcasting, and Munhwa Broadcasting invested capital to build it.
(Dongyang Broadcasting and Dong-A Broadcasting were forcibly integrated into KBS due to media consolidation, but their parent companies later re-entered as JTBC and Channel A, respectively. Munhwa Broadcasting is now MBC.)
When construction began in 1969 and it was put into operation, Namsan Seoul Tower did not originally have an observatory function,
and although it was built for the purpose of transmitting TV, it is said that its greater function was to interfere with TV and radio signals sent from North Korea at the time.
<Namsan Tower without an observatory>
Originally, the tower was completed with an observatory in 1975,
but [Blue House] was not opened due to security issues and the fact that North Korea could be seen when the weather was good, and it opened in 1980.
The height of the tower itself is 236.7m, so it is not that high, but if you include the height of Namsan, it is about 480m.
In 1999, the [Ministry of Information and Communication], which owned the tower, pushed for a sale, and YTN acquired the ownership, and YTN still owns it.
Most broadcasting stations have moved their main transmission points to Gwanaksan, so it has been effectively demoted to a relay station in the northern part of Seoul/downtown area, and its importance as a transmission station has declined compared to the past.
However, it is true that these days, it has changed from a transmission station to a tower with a greater landmark element.
The tower portion of Namsan Seoul Tower is currently operated by CJ Foodville, and the plaza portion is directly operated by YTN.