The Seoul city government will begin a project to turn Sewoon Shopping Center into a park in the first half of next year.
On the 17th, the Seoul city government announced that it had publicly disclosed the implementation plan for the 'Sewoon District Urban Park (Phase 1) Development Project.' This public disclosure of the implementation plan is the final administrative procedure to create a park in an area of approximately 5,670㎡ around the Sampung Shopping Center within the Sewoon Shopping Center complex. The Seoul city government plans to start construction in the first half of 2026 after the compensation process.
The Seoul city government evaluated that the long-awaited project to turn the Sewoon Shopping Center complex into a park has officially entered its main phase after 16 years. This project was initiated as part of the North-South Green Axis Development Project but had stalled after the demolition of the Hyundai Shopping Center in front of Jongmyo in 2009.
This project is a key initiative of the 'Green Ecological Urban Reinvention Strategy' announced by the Seoul city government in 2022. The plan aims to gradually demolish the Sewoon Shopping Center complex and create a large urban park of about 50,000㎡ in its place, completing the urban green axis connecting Bukak Mountain, Jongmyo, and Namsan while providing a pleasant resting area for citizens.
In April 2022, the Seoul city government announced the 'Green Ecological Urban Reinvention Strategy' aimed at realizing a 'green ecological city' harmonizing high-rise buildings and wooded areas within the city. In June of last year, it decided to revise the 'Sewoon Regeneration Promotion Plan' to gradually secure approximately 136,000㎡ of green space in the Sewoon District, reflecting this strategy. The project promotes the securement of substantial green spaces within the city through the parkification of the Sewoon Shopping Center complex and the creation of open green spaces.
The target area for Phase 1 of the project is around Sampung Shopping Center, adjacent to the Euljiro Business District. The Seoul city government will first develop this area into a temporary park with grass yards, gardens, and benches where citizens can relax freely. This is a preliminary step to integrate the area into a complete large urban park once the parkification of the PJ Hotel site is completed.
The PJ Hotel, which is the site for Phase 2 of the project, is undergoing integrated redevelopment with the nearby Zone 6-1-3. The Seoul city government envisions creating a park above ground and establishing a 1,500-seat musical theater underground to make it a cultural hub representing Seoul, connected with the integrated redevelopment of the PJ Hotel and Zone 6-1-3.
The Seoul city government believes that the parkification of the area around Sampung Shopping Center will be a crucial opportunity to regain momentum for the North-South Green Axis development. Starting with this, the city intends to gradually advance the parkification project for the remaining shopping centers, aiming to transform the underdeveloped Sewoon District into a vibrant 'green ecological city' where work, residence, culture, and green spaces coexist.
Cho Nam-jun, head of the Urban Space Headquarters of the Seoul city government, noted, 'The parkification of the Sewoon District is a historic project that will elevate the competitiveness of Seoul's urban center.' He added, 'We will do our best to create a premium park where citizens can feel a sense of pride.'