'Seoullo-Sa-itgil' Connecting Seoullo and Mallijae Road Completed... Outdoor Restaurants and Cafes Now Allowed to Operate

The First Path of 'Seoullo Public Road' Connecting Seoullo 7017 and Surrounding Areas by Foot... 220m Section to Mallijae
Pedestrian Path Expanded to 4.5m, Allowing Outdoor Business as Desired by Local Merchants... Revitalizing the Local Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 22nd that it has completed the 220m-long ‘Seoullo Sa-it-gil’ connecting Mallijaero, known as ‘Mallidangil’ with its popular restaurants and cafes, and Seoullo 7017, and will sign the 'Seoullo Sa-it-gil Win-Win Agreement' involving Jung-gu Office and Sa-it-gil merchants.

As a result, outdoor operations of restaurants and cafes, a long-standing wish of nearby merchants, have become possible. The formation of a specialized commercial street atmosphere is expected to have a positive impact on revitalizing the local economy.

‘Seoullo Sa-it-gil’ is the first path of the ‘Seoullo Public (共空, ○○) Path’ that connects Seoullo 7017 and the surrounding areas on foot. It is located where Seoullo and Jungnim-dong directly meet, serving as a gateway to the surrounding areas. It was named ‘Seoullo Sa-it-gil’ to reflect the shape where the Mallijaero section and Seoullo 7017 meet with a ‘sa-it’ (interfix ‘s’) in between.

First, Seoul City removed the height difference separating the roadway and sidewalk, expanding the pedestrian walkway near the shopping street from 3m to 4.5m. Along the 220m section, a linear garden was installed with Seoullo’s symbolic circular flowerpots to add greenery. On the empty retaining wall of Seoullo facing Mallijaero, benches and tables were installed to provide much-needed resting spaces, and guidance and street facilities for the ‘Seoullo Public Path’ were set up.

To widely promote the completed Seoullo Sa-it-gil, Seoul City will operate ‘Malliju-gan’ (Malliju Week) over two days, the 25th and 26th, under the theme ‘Healing Picnic in Downtown Seoul.’ This event, planned together with the Sa-it-gil merchants’ association, will feature various programs including a flea market. Seoul City plans to establish the identity of Sa-it-gil through regular programs led by merchants under the ‘Malliju-gan’ operation.

Additionally, Seoul City will sign the 'Seoullo Sa-it-gil Win-Win Agreement' at 2 p.m. on the 25th at Malligwang Square, involving Jung-gu Office and Sa-it-gil merchants. The win-win agreement was prepared to lead regional revitalization through public-private cooperation. Under this agreement, Seoul City will install facilities related to the Seoullo Public Path project, Jung-gu will support local commercial district revitalization, and merchants will utilize the installed facilities and manage the street in accordance with outdoor business operations.

Meanwhile, to ensure the agreement is properly implemented, the city will form a public-private consultative body to support the establishment of a foundation that allows continuous maintenance and revitalization led by local residents. The ‘Seoullo Public Path’ project will continue until next year, aiming to expand the pedestrian network of Seoullo 7017 to surrounding areas.

Yang Yong-taek, Acting Director of Seoul City’s Urban Regeneration Office, said, “The Seoullo Public Path complements the limitations of Seoullo 7017, such as lack of resting spaces and simple pedestrian passageways, and will become a popular spot visited by many citizens. By tightly connecting the pedestrian network starting from Seoullo 7017 and preparing resident-led programs that fully convey the charm of each area to citizens, it will greatly contribute to regional revitalization in the post-COVID era.”

Seo Yang-ho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “Mallijaero is expected to greatly contribute to revitalizing the local commercial district after being reborn as Seoullo Sa-it-gil following its designation as a local commercial revitalization zone last year. We will continue to work with Seoul City and the Sa-it-gil merchants’ association to create a sustainable public-private cooperation model.”

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