Jung-gu Seoul Enacts First Ordinance Regulating Neighborhood Complex Government Buildings

by Kim Minjin

Published 27 Apr.2026 08:30(KST)

Unused Spaces in Government Buildings to Be Utilized as Community Spaces

Jung-gu District in Seoul has become the first among the city's 25 autonomous districts to establish an ordinance regulating the rental and operation of neighborhood complex government buildings. This provides an institutional foundation to revitalize unused spaces within these buildings as community spaces for residents.

Sindang Nuri Center Auditorium Now Available for Reservations. Courtesy of Jung-gu.

On April 27, Jung-gu announced that it has enacted and promulgated the "Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Neighborhood Complex Government Buildings in Jung-gu, Seoul." The ordinance details procedures for rental applications, calculation of usage fees, discount benefits for Jung-gu residents and vulnerable groups, as well as criteria for approval and restriction of facility use. It also specifies user obligations for safety management and facility protection, thereby establishing a systematic operational framework.

Until now, the lack of clear regulations made it difficult for residents to freely use certain spaces within neighborhood complex government buildings. Based on this new ordinance, Jung-gu will prepare detailed internal guidelines and begin full-fledged rental services starting in the second half of this year. An online reservation system will also be introduced to allow anyone to conveniently book the facilities.

Jung-gu has proactively institutionalized these changes because the number of neighborhood complex government buildings known as "Nuri Centers" has been steadily increasing. Starting with Sindang Nuri Center in November 2020, Jung-gu has subsequently opened Eulji Nuri Center in May last year and Sogong Nuri Center on April 6 this year. The new rental and operational standards will apply equally to all neighborhood complex government buildings constructed in the future.

Kim Gilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "This ordinance will serve as an institutional foundation for neighborhood complex government buildings to become open spaces that any resident can freely use. Through systematic space management, we aim to create an environment where residents can enjoy high-quality culture and welfare in their daily lives."