[Interview] Seong Jang-hyun, Yongsan District Mayor, "Designation of Yongsan Maintenance Depot Site as Central Commercial Area Needed"

Urging Relocation of US Military Facilities Remaining in Yongsan Park... Designation of Yongsan Maintenance Depot Site as Central Commercial Area... Undergrounding of Gyeongbu Line Connecting Seoul Station and Yongsan Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “Since 2010, Yongsan-gu’s slogan has been ‘The Center of the World, Now the Yongsan Era.’ It embodies our determination to develop Yongsan-gu, which is the heart of Seoul yet relatively underdeveloped, into an international city standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading cities. Over the past 10 years, we have realized that dream together with our residents, and now when people think of Yongsan, the first thing that comes to mind is a dramatic transformation.”

Seong Jang-hyun, the first four-term mayor of Yongsan-gu currently in office, said, “Yongsan’s dramatic transformation is still ongoing,” highlighting the necessity of national projects within the district such as the creation of Yongsan Park and the development of the International Business District (the former railroad maintenance depot site).

Mayor Seong stated, “Enhancing the value of Yongsan-gu, the center of Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is the shortcut to strengthening national competitiveness. The key is to properly advance major national projects that will change the map of Yongsan,” and as the head of the local government, he made three proposals.

The biggest issue that will change the map of Yongsan is the creation of Yongsan Park. Mayor Seong urged the relocation of remaining facilities so that Yongsan Park can become a national unification park representing not only Korea but the world. He said, “We have agreed to relocate 150 housing units for U.S. embassy staff outside the park with Yongsan-gu acting as a mediator,” and emphasized again, “Now it is the turn of the Dragon Hill Hotel. It is unacceptable for the U.S. military to operate a hotel within a national park for any reason, considering public sentiment.”

He also explained, “During my second term as mayor, I played a decisive role in reclaiming the current Yongsan-gu office site, which was used as the Arirang taxi lot, from the U.S. military.”

Mayor Seong’s second proposal is to designate the Yongsan railroad maintenance depot site (approximately 510,000㎡) as a central commercial area so that the development project of the former International Business District can maintain its core while being developed as a mini new town. He said, “In May, the central government announced plans to develop a mini new town with 8,000 households, bringing renewed attention to the Yongsan railroad maintenance depot site, which will also make a significant mark on the map of Yongsan,” adding that “It is meaningful that the central government has directly taken charge of a project that was previously stalled due to limitations of private-led development.”

From Yongsan-gu’s perspective, designating the maintenance depot site as a central commercial district will not only increase tax revenue due to the rise in the number of households but also allow for additional public contributions related to height relaxation. It will enable the attraction of large hospitals, revitalize the local commercial area, and promote balanced development in harmony with surrounding areas.

Lastly, he proposed the long-standing wish of Yongsan-gu to underground the Gyeongbu Line. Mayor Seong emphasized, “The nationwide KTX starts and ends at Yongsan. Yongsan-gu, where Seoul Station and Yongsan Station are located, is the center of railway transportation,” and added, “Once the North-South railway connection is established, Yongsan will truly become the gateway to Eurasia, elevating its status as a global central city.” Therefore, despite the costs, there is a need to look ahead and develop it properly.

Mayor Seong expressed his determination, saying, “Although the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has taken a cautious stance on undergrounding the existing railway line due to project costs, if the railway is undergrounded and the upper land is developed, the project costs can be sufficiently managed,” and added, “We will continue to propose this to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.”