The 'Ppongppong Bridge' Filled with Old Gwangju Citizens' Sorrows and Memories Is Being Reborn

Gwangju Seo-gu, Scheduled for Completion in August Next Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] The ‘Ppongppong Bridge,’ a temporary bridge that once connected the Imdong textile factory and the residential area of Balsan Village in Gwangju Metropolitan City, holding the memories and sorrows of Gwangju citizens at the time, is being reborn.

Seo-gu announced on the 27th that it has begun construction to rebuild the ‘Ppongppong Bridge,’ a symbol of modern cultural history that connected the now-lost Balsan Village and the Imdong textile factory in the mid-1970s.

The groundbreaking ceremony held that day was attended by Seo Dae-seok, head of Seo-gu, Lee Yong-seop, mayor of Gwangju, local members of the National Assembly, the head of Buk-gu, city and district council members, and representatives of local residents, adding luster to the event. The ceremony was conducted in compliance with the COVID-19 social distancing level 3 quarantine guidelines.

The design preserves the feel of the old Ppongppong Bridge while incorporating a simple modern design, with the central part of the pedestrian bridge planned as a resting and cultural space. It is expected to be reborn as a unique and distinctive bridge through the installation of an observatory connected to the Imdong riverside road overpass and nighttime landscape lighting.

When the bridge is completed in August next year, it is expected that the old downtown area will be revitalized through the development of a cultural tourism belt utilizing Balsan Village and the modern industrial heritage of the Imdong textile factory.

Seo Dae-seok, head of Seo-gu, said, “The newly reborn Ppongppong Bridge, along with Balsan Village, a representative urban regeneration case in Seo-gu, and the Gwangjucheon Riverside Park, is expected to be reborn as a new attraction and entertainment spot, becoming a new landmark of Gwangjucheon.”

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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