[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Seoul City announced on the 28th that it will reopen the 'Son Ki-jeong Sports Park,' a park commemorating Son Ki-jeong, the country's first Olympic gold medalist, after two years of construction.
The newly opened Son Ki-jeong Sports Park includes ▲Son Ki-jeong Memorial Hall ▲Running Running Center ▲Running Track ▲Multipurpose Sports Field ▲Children's Library ▲Gateball Court, among other facilities.
The Son Ki-jeong Memorial Hall is the park's core facility. Following the track marked on the floor, visitors can walk through two exhibition rooms to see various exhibits, including the laurel wreath worn by Son Ki-jeong when he won the gold medal at the Berlin Olympics, video documentaries, and various records related to the athlete.
The Running Running Center is a new hub space for runners to learn while running, located at the park's back gate with a total floor area of 660㎡ (2 floors above ground). It is equipped with a lounge, cafe, locker rooms, and showers connected to the running track. Seoul City will hold an opening commemorative exhibition until the end of the year and will start full-scale operations from next year.
From the 29th to December 31st, an exhibition will be held to commemorate the park's opening, consisting of four themes. Visitors can learn about the stories of hidden marathon heroes behind the glory of first place, such as Nam Seung-ryong, who competed alongside Son Ki-jeong and finished third.
Just a 3-minute walk from Son Ki-jeong Sports Park, 'Seoullo 7017' also opened an aerial walkway directly connected to the rooftop of the old Seoul Station on the same day. The rooftop of the old Seoul Station, formerly a parking lot, has been transformed into a 2,300㎡ rooftop garden, becoming a new attraction where visitors can enjoy views of the Seoul Station area while relaxing.
The aerial walkway has embedded heating wires in the floor to prevent slipping on snow or ice during winter. Additionally, CCTV and emergency bells have been installed to thoroughly prepare for safety accidents.
Upon crossing the aerial walkway, the first area reached is the upper part of the closed parking ramp on the rooftop of the old Seoul Station, which has been converted into a resting space. The interior of the closed ramp has been set up as a temporary exhibition hall based on citizens' ideas.
Climbing one more floor along the closed ramp reveals the approximately 2,300㎡ Seoul Station aerial garden. Grass has been planted on the concrete floor that was originally a parking lot, and various perennials such as daylilies and hostas have been planted throughout the rooftop to maintain a green space throughout all four seasons.
Convenience facilities such as sitting walls, benches, and a rose tunnel have also been installed, providing a resting space not only for visitors but also for pedestrians moving from Seoullo 7017 to the Seoul Station concourse. Various events, including the 2021 Seoul Garden Expo, are scheduled to be held here.
Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, said, "The Son Ki-jeong Sports Park and Seoullo 7017, completed through the urban regeneration project around Seoul Station, are expected to serve as a foothold connecting the surrounding areas by foot," adding, "We hope it will also revitalize the stagnant local commercial districts."
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