Yongsan Presidential Era, "Balanced Development Integration Plan Needed for Yongsan Area Progress"

Experts in Architecture and Urban Planning Gather
Discussing 'Presidential Office Relocation and Yongsan Area Development Plans'

On the afternoon of the 21st, presenters and discussion participants posed at the ＜Relocation of the Presidential Office and Development Plans for the Yongsan Area＞ forum hosted by the Korea Federation of Architectural Organizations at The-K Hotel Seoul in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hwang Seoyul

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] It has been suggested that a 'National Balanced Development Integrated Plan' should be prioritized for the systematic development of the Yongsan area, where the presidential office is relocating.

Seo Youngjoo, Vice President of the Korea Women Architects Association, stated at a forum on development plans following the presidential office's move to Yongsan, held on the 21st at The-K Hotel Seoul in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Korea Federation of Architectural Organizations, "A master plan (balanced development integrated plan) that harmonizes with the existing urban order must be created first," adding, "On the west side, the Gyeongbu Line should be undergrounded; on the east side, redevelopment of Itaewon and Hannam-dong; and on the south side, waterfront development should be comprehensively considered."

Hong Seongyong, Editor-in-Chief of the Korea Institute of Architects, also emphasized, "A deep and long-term plan is necessary," and suggested, "There should be negotiations and discussions regarding the return of U.S. military facilities that have not yet been returned to Korea."

Professor Kwon Youngsang of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University proposed four tasks for the development of the Yongsan area: ▲establishing a plan for the Yongsan Maintenance Depot, ▲undergrounding the Gyeongbu Expressway and KTX, ▲creating a smart city, and ▲utilizing waterfront spaces. He stressed the need to resolve issues that have hindered Yongsan's development while discovering new values for the area. Professor Kwon particularly emphasized the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Expressway and KTX railway. He explained, "In Yongsan, the east-west direction has historically been cut off due to the KTX and U.S. military base," adding, "For Yongsan to become a space where people can stay rather than just pass through, the process of undergrounding infrastructure must be considered."

Regarding the relocation of the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense site, cautious approaches were suggested. Jang Sejeong, Editorial Writer at JoongAng Ilbo, argued, "Historically, the Ministry of National Defense site was not used as an important location, as it housed the commander's residence and soldiers' quarters during the Japanese colonial period," and added, "The decision to move the Blue House was made hastily, so from a long-term perspective, other locations should also be considered."

There was consensus that the Blue House site should be developed as a space that maximizes its symbolic value. Vice President Seo said, "Through opening the Blue House, the Seochon and Bukchon areas can be harmonized, and the flow from Sejong-ro to Gyeongbokgung, the Blue House, and Bukhansan can be connected." Kim Jihan, Director of the Korea Institute of Architects, stated, "The Blue House has a rich cultural story and is surrounded by many long-established shops, making it a valuable tourism resource," and suggested, "Rather than indiscriminate development through complete deregulation, it is appropriate to guide development through district unit plans based on the Seochon-Hanok cultural framework."

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