[Interview] Park Kyum-soo, Gangbuk-gu Mayor: "Developing Bukhansan International Climbing Center as Seoul's Premier Urban Rock Climbing Destination"

An indoor and outdoor climbing facility named Bukhansan International Climbing Center, featuring a 19m high rock wall across 3 floors (1 basement, 2 above ground) with a total area of 447.69㎡, equipped with difficulty walls, speed walls, and bouldering walls.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “Sport climbing has been newly adopted as an official Olympic event this time. We hope that a world sport climbing competition will be held soon at the artificial rock climbing wall being built this year in Uidong.”

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said in a recent interview with this paper, “The newly constructed artificial rock climbing wall perfectly meets international standards,” adding, “Once the climbing wall opens, word will spread quickly, and many visitors will come to this place. I also hope it will be an opportunity to widely promote the beauty of Bukhansan.”

The rock climbing wall, named Bukhansan International Climbing Center, will be built with one basement floor and two above-ground floors, standing 19 meters tall with a total floor area of 447.69㎡. It will feature indoor and outdoor spaces equipped with difficulty walls, speed walls, and bouldering walls. Like the Tokyo Olympics, it will be possible to compete in lead, speed, and bouldering events. Users can climb courses divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels according to their skill. An auto-belay system that automatically prevents falls will operate to naturally ensure safety. At the top of the climbing wall, an observatory will be set up where visitors can take in a panoramic view of Bukhansan.

The Climbing Center is located at a transportation hub. It is near the terminus of the Uisinseol Urban Railway and close to the well-known “Uidong Meeting Plaza,” a popular meeting spot for hikers. It is also noteworthy that it is situated near the Bukhansan hiking courses frequently visited by rock climbers. Mayor Park said, “Many mountaineers regard Bukhansan Insu Peak as a symbol of Korean rock climbing and a dream course,” and explained, “Opposite the site is a hiking trail that leads to Bukhansan Baegundae and Insu Peak in the shortest time. It is an optimal location where you can experience rock climbing and then immediately start hiking Bukhansan.”

The area near the climbing wall is full of mountain culture attractions and experiences. Walking along the Baeguncheon trail connected to the climbing wall, you will meet Uiryeong-gil, Section 12 of the Bukhansan Dulle-gil trail. The Uidong Family Camping Ground, opened at the entrance of Bukhansan, and the Uidong Forest Culture Village, where visitors can enjoy various traditional foods, also welcome explorers.

The Uidong Resort project, including a recreational condominium and the Uidong Mountain Culture Hub (H·U·B), is also about to open. The condominium is a place where you can enjoy a unique rest at the foot of Bukhansan without leaving the city. Mayor Park said, “The Mountain Culture Hub is a space with experiential elements under the theme of a training ground for novice mountaineers,” adding, “We plan to provide vivid experiences with three-dimensional models and virtual reality facilities reproducing the Himalayas and Bukhansan’s Insu Peak, Baegundae, and Mangyeongdae courses.” He continued, “Around the climbing wall, visitors can experience activities and accommodation all at once,” emphasizing, “Foreigners are also given the benefit of borrowing hiking shoes for free to wear while climbing.” The foreigner hiking shoe rental center is located on the path to the Bukhansan hiking trails. It was first introduced in April through cooperation between the district office and private companies with the aim of promoting Bukhansan globally.

Gangbuk-gu has plans to host not only international competitions but also national competitions. Rock climbing classes for the general public and youth will also be operated. Next year, a mountain culture festival featuring Bukhansan’s historical and cultural resources will be held here. Mayor Park Gyeom-su said, “We will foster the Bukhansan Climbing Center as a representative urban rock climbing experience spot and hub in the Seoul area.”

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