14,272 Residents of Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu Submit Petition to Relocation of Military Base to Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission

The Relocation of the Hapjeong-dong Military Base, Halted in 2018, to Be Revived Through Public-Private Cooperation
Idle Land Development After Base Relocation Expected to Boost the Local Economy and Improve Residents' Welfare

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu (center), is submitting a petition signed by residents urging the relocation of the military base in Hapjeong-dong to an official from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

There is a military base in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, which has been criticized for hindering local development.

Accordingly, Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) submitted a petition signed by 14,272 residents urging the relocation of the Hapjeong-dong military base to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on the afternoon of the 4th.

On that day, Mayor Park Gang-su of Mapo-gu and about 30 representatives of residents personally visited the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to convey their grievances and strongly emphasize the necessity of relocating the Hapjeong-dong military base.

The area surrounding Hapjeong-dong 450-9 and 12 other parcels is adjacent to the Han River, offering excellent location conditions, but development has been stalled for a long time due to the military base, leaving it as a long-standing local wish.

The military base relocation project was launched in 2009 with the formation of the Hapjeong-dong local residents' council, but despite Mapo-gu’s efforts to communicate residents’ requests and consultations with the Ministry of National Defense, the relocation of the military facility was not agreed upon, and the project has effectively lost momentum since 2018.

In response, Mapo-gu plans to once again accelerate efforts to relocate the military base that blocks Mapo’s growth potential and urban competitiveness, so that the space, which has not been open due to security facilities, can return to the residents.

To relocate the Hapjeong-dong military base, Mapo-gu formed a public-private cooperation task force consisting of Mapo-gu officials and local residents in September 2024 and began full-scale activities from October.

Subsequently, to realize the relocation of the military base by uniting the power of the local community, a signature campaign was conducted targeting residents of Hapjeong-dong, where the military base is located, and six neighboring districts.

As a result, a total of 14,272 residents participated in the signature campaign by January 31, 2025. In particular, in Hapjeong-dong, 4,129 residents, accounting for more than 25% of the 16,098 population, joined the campaign, showing strong support.

Mapo-gu plans to use the submission of this petition as a driving force to ensure the relocation of the Hapjeong-dong military base through public-private cooperation, and to revitalize the local economy and improve residents’ welfare by developing idle land linked to the Han River and introducing resident-friendly facilities.

Mayor Park Gang-su of Mapo-gu said, “While Mapo has achieved remarkable development in many areas, the vicinity of the military base has faced development restrictions, causing difficulties for residents, which is very regrettable. Mapo-gu will implement administration that enables coexistence and mutual growth through continuous cooperation not only with local residents but also with the military.” He added, “I will focus administrative power with the belief that now is the only opportunity to ensure that the relocation of the Hapjeong-dong military base does not remain just a discussion.”

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