[Interview] Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu “Hosting Korea National University of Arts: Foundation for Ecological Conservation and Cultivating Cultural Talent”

Songpa-gu Makes Every Effort to Attract 'Korea National University of Arts'... Plans to Create a University Campus Harmonized with Urban Forests to Become a City of Cultural Talent

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “The relocation of Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) to Songpa-gu is a cornerstone for nurturing cultural talents.”

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, emphasized his strong commitment to attracting K-Arts. He also expressed a firm determination that this would be part of active ecological conservation efforts.

Since its opening in June 1990, K-Arts has been preparing to relocate following the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage designation of Uireung (the royal tomb of King Gyeongjong of Joseon and Queen Seonui Eo) near its Seokgwan-dong campus in Seongbuk-gu, in accordance with the Uireung restoration plan.

Mayor Park noted, “Attention should be paid to the fact that 87.6% of current students surveyed by K-Arts in 2017 preferred Songpa-gu as the relocation site,” and explained that the three strengths of the site ? ▲diverse cultural infrastructure ▲excellent transportation network ▲eco-friendly surrounding environment ? make it the optimal location to maximize the capabilities of K-Arts members.

The greatest strength is that Songpa-gu is equipped with cultural and artistic infrastructure such as Korea National Sport University, Olympic Park, K-pop performance venues, as well as art galleries, museums, and concert halls.

Furthermore, once the Seoul International Exchange Complex District in Jamsil and the branch of Seoul Library in Wirye-dong are completed, a platform for exchange among K-Arts members and artists from various fields will be established, creating a synergy effect for mutual growth.

Additionally, Songpa-gu stands out due to its excellent transportation network connecting Seoul to the rest of the country. Five subway lines pass through the area, and nearby are the SRT (Suseo Station) and Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal, providing excellent accessibility.

Notably, the site was a long-unexecuted urban management plan facility, previously a playground, whose designation expired on July 1. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is planning to create green corridors such as urban forests.

Accordingly, Songpa-gu plans to preserve the urban naturalness by focusing on ecological wetlands and an ecological learning center within the site, while locating K-Arts in parts where development restrictions have been damaged and restoration is difficult.

This plan is evaluated as a solution that satisfies both the contrasting voices of regional development in line with the times and securing green spaces within the city, and Songpa-gu will continue to engage in more active consultations with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

In addition, Songpa-gu has made multifaceted efforts to attract K-Arts. Immediately after the campus relocation plan was announced in 2017, a dedicated team was formed, and 55,000 signatures from nearby residents were collected.

Subsequently, agreements were signed with the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Lotte Shopping, Cinema Business Headquarters, and Lotte Cultural Foundation to support cultural and artistic infrastructure. On the 1st of this month, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Korea Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations, which has 1.8 million members, to unite efforts for attracting K-Arts.

Mayor Park expressed his ambition, saying, “We will definitely attract K-Arts, which both local residents and students desire, and lay the foundation for nurturing cultural and artistic talents in our country.”

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