As Seobu Driver's License Test Site Proposed as Land Swap for Songhyeon-dong Site, Mapo District Mayor Issues Official Statement Saying "Firmly Reject"
[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] Seoul City's plan to convert Songhyeon-dong into a park is facing difficulties. After conflicts with the landowner, Korean Air, it now faces opposition from Mapo-gu. The issue arose when it became known that Seoul City is considering the Western Driver’s License Examination Site as a land swap candidate for the Songhyeon-dong site, prompting Mapo-gu to reject the plan.
According to the real estate industry on the 22nd, Seoul City is reportedly strongly considering a three-party purchase involving the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH Corporation) to acquire the Songhyeon-dong site from Korean Air. LH Corporation would purchase the Songhyeon-dong site from Korean Air, and Seoul City would swap this land with city-owned land.
The city is pursuing this indirect acquisition method because it can advance the schedule significantly, including financing, compared to directly purchasing the land from Korean Air. This measure is interpreted as a response considering Korean Air’s management difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially, Korean Air did not want to sell the Songhyeon-dong site to Seoul City, citing reasons such as the sale price, but the sale was finalized through mediation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Seoul City and Korean Air plan to hold a signing ceremony for the sale mediation agreement near the Songhyeon-dong site on the 26th. This agreement includes the timing and method of the sale, as well as the method for determining the sale price.
The problem arose when Seoul City began considering the Western Driver’s License Examination Site as city-owned land to be transferred to LH. Upon learning this, Mapo-gu Mayor Yudong Gyun issued a statement in his name opposing the plan.
Mayor Yu stated, “The plan by Seoul City and LH to swap the Western Driver’s License Examination Site with the Songhyeon-dong site is a unilateral housing supply plan carried out without consultation with the district,” adding, “We firmly reject it.” He continued, “We urge the suspension of the land swap of the Western Driver’s License Examination Site, which forces the unilateral sacrifice of Mapo-gu residents for park development in other areas,” and said, “We cannot agree to housing supply plans such as rental housing construction being pursued without consultation with Mapo-gu and local residents, who are the stakeholders.”
Mayor Yu proposed forming a four-party consultative body involving the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul City, Mapo-gu, and local residents to establish a ‘Comprehensive Plan for the Sangam-dong Area’ and jointly consider future utilization plans for the Western Driver’s License Examination Site for regional development.
Kim Ki-deok, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, also pointed out, “The Western Driver’s License Examination Site was selected by the city as a new strategic base to develop as a gateway for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the north-south corridor, and a service project with a budget of 377 million KRW is underway, targeting April next year,” adding, “It is appropriate to proceed with the original plan to maximize regional development effects.”
Seoul City views the Western Driver’s License Examination Site as suitable land to exchange for the Songhyeon-dong site. Since the Western Driver’s License Examination Site is included as a new housing supply site in the August 4th real estate measures, Seoul City believes that if LH Corporation accepts and develops it, the justification for the swap will be strengthened.
Seoul City maintains the position that “a replacement site has not yet been finalized.” LH Corporation is reportedly reviewing the business feasibility of multiple city-owned lands, including the Western Driver’s License Examination Site. However, it is expected that many local governments, including Mapo-gu, will strongly oppose the selection of the exchange site, making future progress difficult.
Meanwhile, the Songhyeon-dong site was home to royalty and prominent noble families during the Joseon Dynasty but was seized by foreign powers for 88 years during Japanese exploitation. After 1997, ownership transferred to private companies, but the site was neglected for a long time, and for 110 years, citizens were unable to even look inside.
Seoul City plans to gradually develop the Songhyeon-dong site, the last large undeveloped site in the heart of Seoul that holds 110 years of lost history, considering its historical, cultural value and locational importance. First, it will designate the site as a park for public use to restore its sense of place, and then establish detailed park plans through public and expert discussions.
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