Seoul City Councilor Kim Ki-deok: "Construction of the Shopping Mall Above DMC Station Must Begin Within This Year"

Assemblyman Kim Ki-deok: "Rapid administrative procedures for permits must enable groundbreaking within the year alongside Sangam Shopping Mall"... "Development of Susaek Station area and pedestrian network project linked with the mall will maximize northwest region growth"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Ki-deok, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea·Mapo 4), held a meeting on the 11th in the Vice Chairman’s office to receive reports on local issues and gather residents’ opinions ahead of the official start of the DMC Station upper-level shopping mall licensing project proposal and the development of the Susaek Station area. Attendees included officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s related departments such as the Northwest Area Project Manager and the Industrial Hub Formation Team Leader, Mapo District Council members Shin Jong-gap and Choi Eun-ha, the Western Power Development Association, the Sangam Civic Committee, and representatives of local residents.

At the meeting, Kim Ki-deok, who organized the event, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the local residents to the officials involved, saying, “I would like to thank the officials who worked hard until the DMC Sangam Shopping Mall (Sangam site I3·I4·I5 Special Planning Zone), which has been delayed for over seven years, was approved by the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Architecture Joint Committee on January 27.”

Kim also mentioned that Lotte, the business operator, plans to submit a project proposal for the “shopping mall to be developed above DMC Station” (in cooperation with the Korea Rail Network Authority, DMC Station site special planning zone, site area 20,440㎡, intended for retail facilities and station operations) to Eunpyeong District in March. Once submitted to the Northwest Area Project Department, the proposal will undergo review by the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Management Division and the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Architecture Joint Committee, aiming for construction to begin in the second half of this year. Kim emphasized that the related departments should conduct prompt preliminary reviews and administrative procedures so that the project can be linked with the Sangam Shopping Mall, allowing for early groundbreaking and completion, and requested active efforts to expedite the licensing process.

Furthermore, Kim highlighted the completion of the basic plan establishment service for the Susaek Station area pedestrian network project, which was carried out from February to December last year with a budget of 175 million KRW by the Northwest Area Project Department. The project includes the extension of the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail (5.2 km) and the underground section review (5.4 km). Since the project connects Yeonnam-dong, Seongsan-dong, Sangam-dong, Hyangdongcheon, and Guryong Intersection, Kim stressed that it should be promoted in a way that aligns with residents’ wishes, enhancing pedestrian convenience and contributing significantly to regional development, forming a key axis with Haneul and Noeul Parks.

In addition, Kim urged for solutions to attract a business operator for the Landmark Tower site (central commercial area, total area 37,262.3㎡), which has been without a developer for 20 years. He called for bold measures such as exemption from traffic inducement fees and traffic countermeasures to facilitate the emergence of a mixed-use business center operator and expedite the project.

Kim also conveyed the residents’ proposals for the installation of a passageway and moving walkway connecting Sangam-dong and Susaek Station, requesting a review. It was agreed that around mid-April, Kim Ki-deok would personally visit the site with Seoul city officials and local resident representatives to assess the issues and establish policies.

Finally, Kim said, “Seoul city officials and residents refer to me as the World Cup Councilor (5th term), Subway Councilor (8th term), and Shopping Mall Councilor (10th term).” He added, “Sangam-dong has truly transformed from the hardships of Nanji Island to a completely changed and revitalized area, and the support and encouragement of local residents have been a great help.”

He further pledged, “The development projects in the Susaek Station area and Sangam-dong are large-scale projects that will secure the Northwest Area’s economic future for the next 100 years. With the help of local National Assembly members, I will devote all efforts together with residents to ensure that Sangam-dong is reborn as a representative global city leading the 4th industrial revolution, based on its role as a gateway city of Seoul and its media city functions linked with DMC.”

Meanwhile, the regional economic inducement effect expected from the Sangam Complex Shopping Mall includes contributing to income-led growth through employment of about 2,500 people, increasing city and district tax revenues such as property tax and acquisition tax, and serving as a hub for overseas tourists’ consumption, tourism, and cultural experiences by linking with DMC media tourism content. It is also expected to develop into a central commercial district within the region and form a metropolitan commercial area, greatly contributing to the economic revitalization of the northwest region, which has been relatively neglected compared to the Gangnam area, thereby significantly aiding balanced regional development.

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