[Interview] Lee Chang-woo, Dongjak-gu Mayor: "Creating a Historical and Cultural Space to Enhance the Value of Yongyang Bongjeojeong"

Initiation of Basic Plan for Yongyangbongjeong Historical and Cultural Space... Promotion of Historic Site Designation to Enhance Cultural Heritage Value... Completion of Yongyangbongjeong Family Park Natural Yard This Year... Zipline Connecting Observatory and Nodeul Island Scheduled for Installation in 2022

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongyangbongjeojeong is located at the gateway leading south of Hangang Bridge to Noryangjin. Yongyangbongjeojeong is the place where King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty took a brief rest after crossing the Han River to pay respects to his father, Crown Prince Sado. In 1972, the Seoul Metropolitan Government designated Yongyangbongjeojeong as Tangible Cultural Property No. 6. Dongjak-gu is promoting the "Yongyangbongjeojeong Area Tourism Attraction Project," which integrates the historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Noryangjin area as a key initiative.

Lee Chang-woo, the mayor of Dongjak-gu, told reporters, "We will develop the Yongyangbongjeojeong area into a hot place and establish a cultural and tourism belt connecting Yeouido and Yongsan." Currently, a historical and cultural space themed around Yongyangbongjeojeong is under development. The basic plan is scheduled to be established by February next year, aiming for completion next year. Mayor Lee said, "Creating a historical and cultural space that enhances the value of Yongyangbongjeojeong is the core of the tourism attraction project," adding, "We will also prepare various enjoyable activities such as filial piety food demonstrations and royal costume experiences so that everyone can feel the historical atmosphere."

About 250 meters up a residential alley past Yongyangbongjeojeong is the neighborhood park observatory. The district is developing Yongyangbongjeojeong Neighborhood Park as a 'family park.' On the mountain ridge with weeds and trees, distinctive herbaceous plants such as trees, hosta, and silver grass will be planted to create ▲an ecological learning yard ▲a forest experience playground ▲a biological habitat forest ▲a sky yard (viewing deck), among others. Additionally, by 2022, plans include installing an observatory to view Seoul’s nightscape and a zipline connecting to Nodeul Island.

The area around Bondong, where Yongyangbongjeojeong is located, is gaining momentum in the tourism attraction project through urban regeneration New Deal initiatives. The district is investing 13 billion KRW over three years starting this year under the vision "River Hill Bondong, a village embracing the Han River and history." The Yongyangbongjeojeong tourism attraction project is also expected to create synergy effects by linking with government and Seoul city development plans for the Noryangjin area. The Baeknyeon Bridge, connecting the central part of the upper arch of Hangang Bridge, is a 500-meter-long bridge linking Noryangjin and Nodeul Island, scheduled to open in 2022. It is particularly anticipated to offer a modern interpretation of the ferry crossing used by King Jeongjo, giving the sensation of walking on a boat floating on the water.

Among the 11 Seoul autonomous districts bordering the Han River, Dongjak-gu is the only one without a waterfront park. The city is pushing forward the Han River waterfront walking network project, aiming for completion in 2021. Utilizing the underdeveloped southern waterfront space of Hangang Bridge, the walking path from Dongjak Station to Yeouinaru, spanning 5.6 km, will be improved. Mayor Lee said, "Citizens will be able to tour the Yongyangbongjeojeong area observatory and historical cultural space via pedestrian bridges from Yongsan and Nodeul Island, and enjoy seasonal seafood from Noryangjin Fish Market along the Han River in Yeouido," adding, "Once large-scale development projects around the Han River, such as the development of underutilized land at the southern end of Hangang Railway Bridge and the Heukseok Station innovation hub, are completed, the Noryangjin area will rapidly emerge as the center of the cultural and tourism belt."