"Why Renovate the Perfectly Fine Plaza?" 80 Billion Won Spent on 'Gwanghwamun Plaza' Revamp, What Do You Think?

Acting Authority System in Seoul City, Controversy Over Gwanghwamun Square Renovation Construction
Experts "If Not an Urgent Project, Resident Agreement Should Come First"

Imagination of Gwanghwamun Square after redevelopment construction./Photo by Seoul City

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and Juhee Kang] The Seoul Metropolitan Government, currently under an acting mayor system, began a project on the 16th to transform Gwanghwamun Square into a pedestrian-friendly park, sparking strong public opposition.

Critics argue that pushing forward with a project involving massive expenditures during a national emergency caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and just five months before the by-election for the next Seoul mayor, is unreasonable. Although the Seoul city government stated that it had conducted sufficient consultations with citizens and related organizations, criticism continues among the public that there was not enough discussion or public opinion gathering.

Experts emphasize that reaching a consensus among civil society and residents should be prioritized.

On this day, Seoul began construction to create Gwanghwamun Square as a "square where people can rest and walk comfortably." The project involves converting the west side lanes of Gwanghwamun Square (toward Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) into a park with resting areas and trees, while expanding the lanes on the east side (toward the U.S. Embassy in Korea) from 7 to 9 lanes by consolidating the two-way traffic that was previously divided east and west around the square.

The current Gwanghwamun Square was established in 2009 during the tenure of former Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and this marks a major renovation after 11 years. The city projects that 79.1 billion won will be invested in the renovation of the Gwanghwamun Square area by 2023.

Seoul plans to complete the expansion and maintenance of the eastern road by February next year, allowing vehicles currently using the western lanes to use the eastern lanes. Subsequently, the western lanes will be transformed into a square-like park from May to October next year, with the construction proceeding in two phases.

Seoul Acting Mayor Seojung-hyeop said in an online briefing, "Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of downtown Seoul, will shed its grayness and transform into a green ecological civilization hub. We will do our best to ensure that this change marks the day when the entire pedestrian square is returned to the citizens." He added, "Although the mayoral position is vacant, pushing forward with the project based on discussions over the past four years without wavering is a promise to the citizens."

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, is holding a press briefing on the creation of the new Gwanghwamun Square at the City Hall briefing room on the 16th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

However, civic groups are opposing the commencement of the Gwanghwamun Square renovation project by the Seoul city government. They argue that there was insufficient discussion with citizens and that the project is being pushed recklessly amid the mayoral vacancy.

Civic groups such as the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall on the same day, stating, "The Seoul city government's Gwanghwamun Square renovation project is a sudden enforcement without discussion with civil society," and demanded, "Do not recklessly push forward with a hasty construction project just five months before the next mayoral election."

Seoul city government stated that it had conducted a year-long process of gathering opinions from civic groups, academia, experts, local residents, and online channels since September last year regarding this project. However, the groups countered, "No comprehensive plan for the restructuring of Gwanghwamun Square has been announced," expressing their opposition.

Previously, former Mayor Park Won-soon, who was leading the project, announced in September last year that the project would be fully reconsidered due to opposition from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which manages the Government Seoul Office, and local residents around Gwanghwamun.

The groups pointed out, "This project is being pursued individually according to separate procedures for roads and parks without a concrete master plan," and added, "No materials are posted on the Gwanghwamun Square website, so even minimal information disclosure is not happening. Seoul city government has not disclosed the restructuring project implementation plan or detailed information on individual projects."

Citizens also expressed concerns about pushing forward with a project involving massive expenditures amid the national crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19.

Seo (29), an office worker residing in Seoul, said, "Who asked for a park? I don't understand why they want to unnecessarily change a perfectly fine square," and criticized, "I can't understand why they want to proceed with a project that most people oppose with only five months left."

Another office worker in their 30s, Kang, said, "So many citizens are struggling to make a living due to COVID these days," and emphasized, "I think even spending on livelihood is insufficient, so pushing forward with a project costing 80 billion won without a mayor is absurd."

Experts emphasize that reaching a consensus among civil society and residents should be prioritized.

Professor Lee Seok-hwan of Hanyang University’s Department of Public Policy said, "Pursuing a non-urgent project while the mayoral position is vacant inevitably raises concerns from citizens," and pointed out, "This project does not appear to be urgent or critical enough to be implemented immediately. Since the by-election is approaching, it seems reasonable to postpone the project until then."

He continued, "Residents have delegated their rights to their representative (the mayor) through elections," and stressed, "Although the acting mayor legally exercises those rights during the vacancy, the acting mayor is not someone who has been directly entrusted with those rights by the people. While there may be internal circumstances within Seoul city, unless it is an extremely urgent matter, reaching a consensus among civil society and residents should come first."

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