Promotion of New Crosswalk Installation Between Pyeonghwa and Sinpyeonghwa Markets
A new crosswalk will be established at the southernmost end of Ogan-su Bridge at the Cheonggye 6-ga intersection in the Dongdaemun shopping district, Jung-gu, Seoul, to ensure pedestrian safety.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced on the 21st that, through coordination with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, they have agreed to establish a new crosswalk at the southernmost end of Ogan-su Bridge between Pyeonghwa Market and Shin Pyeonghwa Market at the Cheonggye 6-ga intersection. Although the area between Pyeonghwa Market and Shin Pyeonghwa Market consists of 10 lanes in both directions, there has been no crosswalk, leading to frequent jaywalking by citizens.
The conflict over installing a crosswalk has persisted for over a decade between the Pyeonghwa and Shin Pyeonghwa Market sides, who support it, and the underground shopping center merchants who oppose it citing concerns over commercial decline. In 2012, the Seoul city government attempted to install a crosswalk near Ogan-su Bridge, but it was not implemented due to concerns about affecting the cultural heritage value and preservation of the bridge.
In response, more than 7,000 merchants from Pyeonghwa and Shin Pyeonghwa Markets stated, "Since 2006, we have requested the installation of a crosswalk, but it has repeatedly failed, causing citizens, merchants, and tourists visiting the shopping district to risk their lives by jaywalking. It is essential for revitalizing the Dongdaemun Tourism Special Zone." They demanded the Seoul city government to establish the crosswalk. However, as no improvements were made over time, the merchants filed a collective complaint with the ACRC in June.
After several on-site investigations and consultations with related agencies, the ACRC prepared a final mediation plan. The plan centers on the Seoul city government promoting the installation of a crosswalk at the southernmost end of Ogan-su Bridge. Once consultations with related agencies and regarding changes to the cultural heritage status are completed, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will be requested to review the traffic safety changes.
Following approval at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s traffic safety facility review, the crosswalk will be installed after procedures such as detailed design and budget securing are completed. The Seoul Facilities Corporation will cooperate with the underground shopping center merchants' association and install signage displaying the names of the shopping centers on facilities within its management scope, with the location to be agreed upon with representatives of the underground shopping center.
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Yang Jong-sam, Director of the Grievance Handling Bureau at the ACRC, said, "This agreement is meaningful as it provides a solution that secures pedestrian rights for small business owners and tourists in the Dongdaemun shopping district while preserving the cultural heritage to the greatest extent possible and promoting coexistence with the underground shopping center."
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