Seoul City Begins Reconstruction of Gwanghwamun Square... Civic Groups Demand "Stop the Project" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] As the Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to close the west lane of Gwanghwamun Square and transform it into a plaza through the 'Gwanghwamun Square Restructuring' project, controversy is intensifying. Civic groups such as the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice have called for a halt to the project, labeling it a 'sudden enforcement.' In particular, concerns are growing over the Seoul city government pushing forward a large-scale project without social consensus or even completing consultations with related institutions while operating under an acting mayor system.

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, held a groundbreaking press briefing for the new Gwanghwamun Square construction project at Seoul City Hall on the 16th, announcing that construction to create a 'Gwanghwamun Square where people can rest and walk comfortably' would begin that day. The city explained that considering vehicle traffic and pedestrian flow, it will expand and renovate the east road by February next year, then proceed with creating the plaza on the west lane from May to October next year.

◆How will it change? The Gwanghwamun Square restructuring project was initiated based on the idea of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. The core of the project is to eliminate the west road of the square currently leading toward the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and incorporate it into the plaza as a pedestrian walkway. The city plans to expand the east side of the plaza in front of the U.S. Embassy in Korea into a 7 to 9-lane road allowing two-way traffic. By significantly reducing lanes, the city aims to further enlarge the plaza currently located in the center of the road. To decorate the expanded plaza as a 'park-like square enjoyed in daily life,' the city plans to plant over 100 species of flowering trees.

The city will first complete the expansion and renovation of the east road by February next year, then determine the timing for vehicle control on the west lane after stabilizing traffic flow on both directions of the east road. The expansion and renovation of the east road will involve an investment of 10.1 billion KRW. Archaeological excavations will be conducted by section until January next year on parts of the west side sidewalk (from in front of the Government Seoul Office to in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts). Excavations on the lanes will be carried out in March to April next year. The city plans to complete preliminary administrative procedures such as consultations with related institutions for the excavation and restoration of cultural assets like the Gwanghwamun Woldae in the first half of next year and conduct detailed investigations from the second half.

Construction will proceed sequentially by section from in front of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, where pedestrian traffic is heavy, to the Government Seoul Office. During the east road expansion and renovation period, the city will occupy only one lane minimally and implement a 'comprehensive traffic plan' to minimize inconvenience to nearby vehicle movement and public transport users. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will also jointly operate a 'Gwanghwamun Square Traffic Management Task Force (TF).'

◆Still controversial... "Why now?" When announcing the groundbreaking, the city emphasized that this was a 'blueprint prepared through over 300 communications with citizens over the past four years.' Acting Mayor Seo said, "The Gwanghwamun Square project has been promoted as an extension of city policies such as the Seoul Historic City Center Master Plan and the Special Comprehensive Measures for Green Transportation Promotion, aiming to 'restore the historicity of the Gwanghwamun area' and 'expand pedestrian spaces within the Hanyangdoseong Fortress.' Since it is the result of over 300 communications with citizens over four years, we will proceed steadily so that the efforts and expectations are not in vain."

However, concerns have been raised that the city's enforcement of construction will further worsen the already severe traffic congestion around Gwanghwamun. This is because the west road will be eliminated, reducing the lanes on Sejong-daero, the central axis of Seoul's downtown traffic network, from the current 12 lanes to 7 to 9 lanes. Additionally, contrary to the original intent, there are significant worries that large-scale rallies will become routine in the Gwanghwamun area, which is already suffering from frequent protests after the central parkification.

Civic groups are also opposing the city's enforcement of the project. On the same day, the 'Civic and Social Organizations Urging the Halt of the Hasty Promotion of Gwanghwamun Square Restructuring' held an emergency press conference condemning the sudden enforcement and calling for a halt. They stated, "The Seoul city's sudden announcement to resume the project ignores ongoing controversies and declares a push-through approach. If necessary, we will take appropriate countermeasures regarding the construction commencement until the end."

The groups also expressed, "Since the temporary suspension declaration in September last year, civic and social organizations have participated in various public deliberation processes with the city, so this announcement causes not only bewilderment but anger. There is no reason to force the project forward without a mayor. Citizens should be allowed to discuss the future of Gwanghwamun Square in the by-election scheduled for April next year."

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