Jongno-gu Gwanghwamun Area Becomes a Global 'Outdoor Advertising Landmark'

Advertisement Installation to Proceed in Two Phases Over 6 Years from 2024 to 2029; Regulations on Shape, Size, Color, and Installation Method Greatly Relaxed... District Mayor Jeong Munheon: "Gwanghwamun Plaza Area to Become a World-Class Tourist Attraction Where Various New Technologies and Outdoor Advertisements Meet"

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The Gwanghwamun area is transforming into a world-class tourist attraction adorned with large-scale billboards, similar to New York's Times Square.

Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) has designated the Gwanghwamun district as the "2nd Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone."

The target area includes Gwanghwamun Square and Uijeongbu, nine nearby buildings including the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the U.S. Embassy, as well as the right side of Sejong-daero.

This area is known for its high foot traffic and is considered one of the most iconic spaces representing South Korea. It is also adjacent to various popular tourist attractions and cultural heritage sites frequently visited by domestic and international tourists, so the effectiveness of advertising installations is expected to be particularly high.

With this designation, regulations on the shape, size, color, and installation methods of advertisements will be significantly relaxed, and the installation of advertisements will take place over six years in two phases until 2029.

The first phase will run from 2024 to 2026. Advertisements will be initially installed around the Gwanghwamun intersection, including KT, Ilmin Museum of Art, and Kyobo Building.

Previously, Jongno-gu made various efforts to designate the Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone. A public hearing involving residents, building owners, store owners within the business area, and related experts was held in November at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and opinion letters were also collected to gather diverse views from citizens across all sectors.

District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, "With the designation of the Free Display Zone effective January 1 this year, regulations related to advertisement installations have been relaxed, enabling the Gwanghwamun Square area to establish itself as a world-class tourist attraction where various new technologies and outdoor advertising meet. We will work closely with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure the successful implementation of this project."

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