"After Communication at Gwanghwamun Square"... Maintaining Sajik-ro and Minimizing Traffic Inconvenience (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] During the restructuring process of Gwanghwamun Square, Sajik-ro will maintain its current route. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set the 'complete pedestrianization' of Gwanghwamun Square as a mid- to long-term goal but plans to implement it step-by-step to minimize traffic inconveniences. The restoration of Woldae will be decided after excavation investigations by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Even during assemblies and demonstrations, two-way bus traffic will be allowed, and to reduce noise disturbances to residents, a revision of the Assembly and Demonstration Act will be proposed to the National Assembly.

On the 13th, Seoul announced a new direction for Gwanghwamun Square reflecting citizen communication results. Sajik-ro, which forms the east-west axis of Gwanghwamun Square, will maintain its current road route to minimize traffic impact. The restoration of Woldae will be promoted by deciding the timing and method through excavation investigations 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 worsened traffic congestion, the current route will be maintained.

Sejong-daero will have a detailed plan prepared with experts reflecting citizens' opinions, and after consultations with related agencies and public hearings, the design plan will be finalized. During car-free street events, lane reductions will be operated, city bus routes inside the Four Great Gates will be adjusted, and social experiments such as preview Gwanghwamun Square citizen participation events will be conducted to adapt to changes in usage environment.

Seoul plans to develop Gwanghwamun Square as a representative space of the Republic of Korea and a square containing park elements integrated into 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." The expanded part of the square will be developed as a space containing park elements where flowers and fragrance, forests and shade, beautiful scenery, and various citizen activities harmoniously coexist while maintaining the square's identity.

Measures to minimize citizen inconvenience caused by all lanes being blocked due to assemblies 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 two-way bus traffic at all times in cooperation with the police. Seoul stated, "Considering the safety of citizens participating in assemblies and demonstrations, it is necessary to install blocking facilities at the junction of the square and Sejong-daero, and discussions are currently underway 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 assemblies and demonstrations. Bus number 1020 turns around at the intersection in front of Cheongunhyoja-dong Community Service Center, but during assemblies 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 fixed bus route operating regularly on weekends when assemblies and demonstrations frequently occur will also be newly established and operated from April this year. Bus number 8002 will operate on a route from Sangmyung University to Gyeongbokgung Station (turnaround), Pilundero, Jahamun-ro, and back to Sangmyung University, deploying medium and small electric buses considering the road conditions of Pilundero. The Jongno 11 village bus running from Sungnyemun to Samcheong Park will, in consultation with Jongno-gu, partially change its route to Samcheong Park, Anguk Station, and Unhyeon Palace if the entrance to Samcheong-dong is blocked due to assemblies and demonstrations, ensuring no difficulties in using public transportation such as subway transfers.

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 the operation of signals limiting city center inflow will be implemented in cooperation with the police. The city stated, "We will minimize traffic congestion and stagnation in the city center by optimizing traffic signals around the square, implementing traffic signal management (TSM) projects, and providing traffic information using a total of 47 road electronic display boards (VMS) to guide detours around the square." Since the end of January, green circulation buses have been operating (4 routes, 27 vehicles), and the BRT discontinuity section (4.2 km) will be gradually connected to improve accessibility to the square via public transportation. The northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line will also be promoted with policy will by Seoul in cooperation with related ministries.

A revision of the Assembly and Demonstration Act to regulate noise from assemblies and demonstrations, identified as a major issue, 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, effectively allowing 24-hour assemblies. A revision will be proposed 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 an average of 65 dB over 10 minutes, is often abused; the revision will shorten the measurement time to 5 minutes and limit the instantaneous maximum noise level to 85 dB. A provision imposing fines up to 3 million KRW for violations will also be introduced to ensure effectiveness.

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

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said, "We will prepare detailed plans together with experts reflecting citizen communication results," adding, "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.