Seocho Mayor Jeon Seongsoo: "Five Years Is the Golden Time to Make Gotter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone by the Han River a Landmark"

Enhancing Accessibility with 'Art Museum' Walls Along Pedestrian Passages
Creating Strong Synergy with Local Businesses such as Goto Mall
Developing the Area as a Stage for "K-Culture, K-Music, and K-Beauty"

Seocho District in Seoul is accelerating infrastructure development and content creation to establish the Gotter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone as a leading tourism hub embracing the Han River.

On October 27, Seongsoo Jeon, Mayor of Seocho District, met with reporters at the Gotter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone and stated, "The first five years after the designation of a tourism special zone is a golden time. We will devote all our capabilities and dedication to turn this area into a global attraction that draws both domestic and international tourists."

Scenic view of Sebitseom. Provided by Seocho District.

Mayor Jeon added, "After the Seripul Music Festival ended, a video content featuring environmental workers maintaining a 1-kilometer, 10-lane section of Banpo-daero received a highly positive response, reaching 4.6 million views. This shows the genuine appreciation for our meticulous efforts, and we will continue to develop the tourism special zone with the same care and sincerity."

The Gotter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone is a key transportation hub served by three subway lines and boasts premium tourism infrastructure, including the Goto Mall underground shopping center, Shinsegae Department Store, JW Marriott Hotel, Banpo Hangang Park, and Sebitseom. Unlike existing shopping-focused tourism special zones, Seocho District is promoting the area as a complex destination that combines culture, nature, and leisure activities, pursuing a two-track strategy of "infrastructure expansion" and "tourism content development."

From Goto Mall to the Han River: Enhancing Accessibility as a 'Walkable Art Museum'

Seocho District pursued the special zone designation at the request of local merchants to revitalize the business district, which had stagnated after COVID-19. The area was designated as a special zone at the end of last year. Mayor Jeon explained, "As the only tourism special zone embracing the Han River, it holds significant symbolic value. We aim to develop it as a stage for K-culture, K-music, and K-beauty that attracts visitors from around the world. In particular, the passage connecting the Han River and the terminal business district will become the district's core tourism line."

The underground public pedestrian passage connecting the Express Bus Terminal and Banpo Hangang Park has been transformed into a "walkable art museum." It features a Picasso mural created in collaboration with the Malaga Tourism Board of Spain and a 500-meter-long "24 Hours of Seoul" mural by 24 artists depicting a day in Seoul, offering both residents and visitors a unique artistic experience.

Seongsoo Jeon, Mayor of Seocho District, is explaining the Gotter and Sebit Tourist Zones in front of the Picasso mural. Provided by Seocho District.

Choi Heeyoung, Head of the Culture and Tourism Division of Seocho District, said, "Since the designation, we have been working on installing tourist information signs and symbolic sculptures. By the end of the year, we will install large information signs on the pillars of Jamsu Bridge along Banpo-daero and create gallery-style walkways, providing an environment where visitors can easily move around and enjoy various experiences."

In particular, with the cooperation of Goto Mall merchants, efforts are underway to establish a guidance system for the "Way to Hangang Park" and to install notices regarding exchange and refund policies as part of ongoing self-regulation initiatives.

Expanding Stay-Type Tourism Content

This year, Seocho District's "K-Fashion & Beauty Coaching Station" attracted 3,000 domestic and international tourists, receiving a strong response. The district also continues to operate experiential tourism programs such as the "Seocho-Hangang Art Tour," "Mobile Stamp Tour," and "Seripul Walking Tour." Next year, a "K-Fashion & K-POP Fashion Show" utilizing Goto Mall's fashion resources will be held, and Banpo Hangang Park will launch a picnic set rental service using recyclable paper and other eco-friendly materials.

In December of this year, the establishment of a new "□-shaped crosswalk" at the Express Bus Terminal intersection will significantly improve pedestrian accessibility for tourists. Next year, an elevator will be installed at the southern end of Banpo Bridge, and by 2027, the full pedestrianization of Jamsu Bridge will be completed. An underground passage will also be constructed beneath Olympic-daero at the southern end of Banpo Bridge, allowing pedestrians to cross east-west. This will complete the "Way to the Han River," directly connecting the river to the city center.

Seocho District aims to attract 1.2 million foreign tourists by 2028, strengthening the brand value of the tourism special zone and developing it into Seoul's leading global tourism belt.

Mayor Jeon stated, "Once the Han River and the city center are seamlessly connected, Seocho's tourism potential will increase explosively. We will develop the Gotter-Sebit Tourism Special Zone into a new landmark of Seoul."

A new '□-shaped crosswalk' will be established at the Express Bus Terminal intersection this December. Provided by Seocho District.

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