Gwanghwamun Square Reflecting Citizens' Opinions to Become Fully Pedestrianized... "Gradual Implementation"

Seoul City Announces New Gwanghwamun Plaza Public Communication Results
"Make Entire Gwanghwamun Plaza Pedestrian-Only" Majority Opinion...Decided on Gradual Implementation
Traffic Inconvenience and Noise Issues During Rallies and Demonstrations...Measures Including Proposal to Amend Assembly Act Prepared

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The full pedestrianization of Gwanghwamun Square is being promoted. However, it will be implemented in stages to minimize traffic inconveniences. Sajik-ro will maintain its current route, and the restoration of Woldae will be decided after an excavation survey by the Cultural Heritage Administration.

On the 13th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government prepared and announced a new direction for Gwanghwamun Square reflecting the results of citizen communication. The full pedestrianization, which most citizens desired during the communication process, will be promoted step by step. Seoul said, "The full pedestrianization, which most citizens, experts, and civic groups hoped for during the discussion process, will be promoted through citizen opinion gathering once the green transportation promotion area policy effect and social consensus are established."

Sajik-ro, the east-west axis of Gwanghwamun Square, will maintain the current road route to minimize traffic impact. The restoration of Woldae will be promoted by deciding the timing and method of restoration through excavation surveys and discussions with the Cultural Heritage Administration. Initially, Seoul planned to convert Sajik-ro into a square and create a U-shaped bypass road circumventing the Government Seoul Office, but considering minimizing citizen inconvenience due to worsening traffic congestion, it decided to maintain the current route.

Sejong-daero will develop a detailed plan with experts reflecting citizens' opinions and finalize the design plan through consultations and opinion hearings with related organizations. Social experiments on changes in usage environment, such as reducing lanes during car-free street events, adjusting bus routes inside the Four Great Gates, and citizen participation events previewing Gwanghwamun Square, will also be conducted simultaneously.

Seoul plans to develop Gwanghwamun Square as a representative space of the Republic of Korea and a square containing park elements in citizens' daily lives. Seoul stated, "Gwanghwamun Square is a national central space embodying the millennium philosophy of national governance, and it will be developed as a 'citizen-centered, Republic of Korea representative space' to expand citizens' autonomous and diverse activities, produce future value, and secure Seoul's identity." Some expanded parts of the square will be developed as spaces containing park elements where flowers and scents, forests and shade, beautiful scenery, and various citizen activities harmonize while maintaining the square's identity.

Measures to minimize citizen inconvenience caused by all lanes being blocked due to rallies and demonstrations held every weekend will also be prepared. From April, variable movable facilities will be installed on the one-way direction of Sejong-daero to allow buses to operate in both directions at all times, in consultation with the police. Seoul said, "Considering the safety of citizens participating in rallies and demonstrations, it is necessary to install blocking facilities at the junction of the square and Sejong-daero, and we are currently consulting with the National Police Agency."

Bus routes will be newly established or changed to connect with subway stations so that local residents do not experience inconvenience using public transportation during rallies and demonstrations. Bus number 1020 turns around at the intersection in front of Cheongunhyoja-dong Community Service Center, but during rallies and demonstrations, it has been operating since last month by extending to Gyeongbokgung Station and running between Gyeongbokgung Station~Pilundero, Jahamun-ro~Pyeongchang, and Buam-dong. A bus that operates regularly on weekends when rallies and demonstrations frequently occur will be newly established and operated from April this year.

Traffic demand management policies linked to the green transportation promotion zone policy will also be implemented simultaneously. This includes restricting through traffic in the city center, which accounts for about 46% of total traffic volume. The reorganization of road space on eight roads including Sejong-daero and signal operation limiting city center inflow will be implemented in consultation with the police. The city said, "We will minimize urban traffic congestion by optimizing traffic signals around the square, implementing traffic improvement projects (TSM), and providing traffic information using a total of 47 road electronic display boards (VMS) to guide detours around the square."

The extension of the Shinbundang Line to the northwest will also be promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government with policy will and in consultation with related ministries.

Amendments to the Assembly and Demonstration Act to regulate noise from rallies and demonstrations, which have been pointed out as major issues, will also be proposed. Article 10 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (prohibition of outdoor assemblies and demonstrations during certain hours) has not been legislated following the Constitutional Court's decision of constitutional inconsistency and limited unconstitutionality, making 24-hour assemblies effectively possible. The plan is to propose amendments to restrict outdoor assemblies or demonstrations from midnight to before sunrise. In residential areas, the current 'average noise level measurement' method, which only regulates noise exceeding 65db on average over 10 minutes, is often abused. The proposal includes shortening the measurement time to 5 minutes and limiting the instantaneous maximum noise level to 85db. A provision to impose fines up to 3 million KRW for violations will also be newly established to ensure effectiveness.

The 'Gwanghwamun Square Operation Citizens Committee' will also be newly formed. Until the ordinance is amended, it will operate as an advisory body and play a role in establishing and discussing standards for square operation. A 'Comprehensive Development Plan for the Gwanghwamun Area,' including the surrounding area of the square, will also be established within this year. This comprehensive plan, including traffic, history, urban planning, and urban regeneration (economy), will be reflected in the '2040 Seoul Urban Basic Plan,' the highest-level legal plan currently being established if necessary, to secure sustainability and feasibility.

Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul said, "We will prepare a detailed plan with experts reflecting the results of citizen communication," and added, "I hope Gwanghwamun becomes a happy space where many citizens can culturally enjoy themselves and, furthermore, an opportunity to become a proud space for the people of the Republic of Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.