Jung-gu, Seoul, Creates Green Space and Rest Area at Garbage Transfer Station in Front of National Treasure No.1 Sungnyemun Gate

Creation of 'Green Planters and Rest Area' at Namdaemun Market Entrance Formerly a Garbage Transfer Station... Research Service Launched for Utilizing 448m² Underground Space. Results to be Announced in September... Installation of CCTV for 24-Hour Illegal Dumping and Unauthorized Parking Enforcement

Namdaemun Market Sorting Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) announced plans to extensively renovate the closed waste transfer station facility within Namdaemun Market and transform it into green flower beds and resting areas for tourists and merchants.

The underground waste transfer station in Namdaemun Market was a facility that stored market-generated waste underground so that waste collection companies could pick it up. In 2009, the waste transfer station, which was previously on the road, was moved underground with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. However, due to aging equipment and frequent breakdowns, maintenance costs continuously increased, leading to the official suspension of its use from 2019 and the start of demolition on the 1st of this month.

Since the suspension of the waste transfer station operation, the contracted company has been directly collecting approximately 9 tons of waste daily on the surface, including 4 tons of general waste, 3 tons of food waste, and 2 tons of recyclables, and transporting it to incineration facilities.

The location of the former waste transfer station is the main entrance of Namdaemun Market in front of Sungnyemun, National Treasure No. 1. After the closure of the transfer station, unauthorized dumping of waste and accumulation of household garbage nearby have damaged the urban landscape and caused foul odors, leading to repeated complaints from tourists and surrounding merchants.

Accordingly, after thorough consideration, the district office plans to extensively renovate the entrance of Namdaemun Market by installing flower beds and resting benches to create a resting area for citizens and improve the market’s image through a pleasant environment.

The 448㎡ underground space formerly used as the transfer station is currently under a research project to devise efficient usage plans for the market. The usage scope will be finalized once the results are available in September.

The waste collection method will also shift from centralized collection to face-to-face collection, with cleaning contractors patrolling stores to immediately handle waste.

Additionally, large and medium-sized delivery vehicles that illegally park and operate on sidewalks will be relocated to the adjacent large bus parking lot, and CCTV will be installed for 24-hour monitoring of illegal dumping and parking.

Furthermore, the district will proceed with the market entrance renovation project by removing dozens of parking prevention barricades that have obstructed pedestrian movement and the landscape in front of Namdaemun.

Seo Yang-ho, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "Namdaemun Market, which was once the top destination for foreign tourists, has faced consumer neglect for over a decade, and it is time for reflection and change. I hope that small changes in Namdaemun Market will be continued by merchants and building owners, allowing it to be reborn as a traditional market loved by tourists and Seoul citizens."