[The Future of Seochon] ⑫ "Seochon Management Must Harmonize Unique Characteristics and Balanced Development" - An Jungwook, Head of Hanok Policy, Seoul City

Seochon Holds Unique Historical, Cultural, and Scenic Significance
Managed Since 1977 as a Height Restriction Zone, Updated in 2010 with District Unit Plan
About 600 Hanok Houses in Seochon... Promoting Balanced Development with Non-Hanok Structures
Coexistence Through Cultural Events Linking Blue House Opening and Seochon Artists

Seochon Village area, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Seochon, located between the west gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Inwangsan Mountain, is a neighborhood that fully preserves its historical significance. Walking through its alleys, one can discover traces of time layered from Joseon Dynasty literati to modern artists and contemporary creators' art workshops.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been systematically managing Seochon for a long time to maintain its unique characteristics. The focus is on preserving Seochon's distinctive landscape while encouraging harmonious development. How has Seochon been managed so far, and what changes will it face after the Blue House (Cheongwadae) opens to the public? On the 25th, we met with Ahn Jungwook, Director of the Hanok Policy Division of Seoul City, to hear about Seochon.

---What is the significance of Seochon in Seoul?

▶It is a place of great historical and cultural significance. Within its charming alleys lie memories of figures such as Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, Chusa Kim Jeonghui, and Songgang Jeong Cheol. The beautiful Inwangsan and Bugaksan Mountains, along with Suseongdong Valley, served as the real-life models for the famous painting "Inwangjesaekdo." This place, valuable both historically and scenically, has layers of modern history added by traces of modern painters. Centered around Jahamun-ro, 1920s urban hanoks and 1970s-style detached houses form a low-rise urban structure. It is one of Seoul’s representative hanok preservation areas where both internal and external forms of diverse urban organizations are well preserved.

---How does Seoul manage Seochon?

▶The Seochon area (west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace) began to be managed urban-planning-wise through a district unit planning zone starting in 2010. However, even before that, it was managed as one of Seoul’s representative hanok-dense areas and as a neighborhood around Gyeongbokgung Palace. In 1977, it was designated as a maximum height district and later as a scenic district to manage its landscape. In 2001, to prevent hanok demolition, a comprehensive plan for Bukchon was created and expanded to include Seochon, supporting hanok repair and preservation. Subsequently, in 2008, the Hanok Declaration was announced, and through the district unit plan designation, hanok-dense areas were designated, promoting urban structure preservation and management policies. In 2020, it was designated as an urban regeneration activation area.

※Seochon and the West Side of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Today, Seochon commonly refers to the areas of Tongui-dong, Changseong-dong, and Ogin-dong on the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace. However, historically, the Seochon area mentioned in records referred to Seosomun and Jeong-dong areas, showing a difference. This is because the four villages (Dong, Seo, Nam, Bukchon) formed inside the four gates of Joseon were based on city orientation, not Gyeongbokgung Palace. To distinguish this, Seoul calls the Seochon area the 'West Side of Gyeongbokgung Palace area.' The official name of the district unit plan is also the West Side of Gyeongbokgung Palace District Unit Plan.

Ahn Jung-wook, Director of Hanok Policy Division, Seoul Metropolitan Government

---What is the most important value in managing Seochon?

▶The main goal is to maintain Seochon’s unique characteristics while promoting balanced development between hanok and non-hanok buildings. Seochon is the central space of Seoul pursuing a historic city. It has about 600 hanoks and many meaningful architectural assets. To maintain these characteristics and manage it as a livable hanok residential area, it was designated as a district unit planning zone in 2010. Through this plan, the area is differentiated into zones that must preserve hanoks (hanok designated and recommended zones), generally managed zones, and street zones, controlling building height and usage accordingly.

Preventing excessive commercialization of the village to protect existing small business owners and ensure a pleasant residential environment is also an important goal. The district unit plan designates allowable uses by zone and partially restricts franchise establishments. Currently, franchises are only allowed on main streets in Seochon, while alleys are reserved for local businesses.

On the other hand, improving infrastructure that residents might find inadequate is also considered important. This is why part of Seochon was designated as an urban regeneration activation area.

---Please explain the Seochon regeneration project in more detail.

▶The key direction is to create a neighborhood where residents can live long-term based on their opinions. What residents urgently need is parking, so securing parking lots and improving alley environments are included. Hanoks are preserved, and old houses are repaired to make it easier for residents to live. Open spaces where residents and pedestrians can rest are also created to make alleys with historical memories safe and comfortable. The project is currently in its early stages; an activation plan will be established this year, and from next year, a budget of about 10 billion KRW will be secured to start the project in earnest.

On the 15th, the first weekend after the opening of Cheong Wa Dae, many citizens visited Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno-gu, Seoul. In response to the sharp increase in pedestrian traffic due to the full opening of Cheong Wa Dae, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will pilot a car-free street on the road in front of Cheong Wa Dae (Hyoja-dong Fountain - Chun Chu Gate) during the Cheong Wa Dae opening event period. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

---How has Seochon changed since the presidential office moved?

▶The biggest change is the sharp increase in visitors to Seochon after the Blue House opened to the public. However, the opening brings both hopes and concerns for Seochon residents. Merchants, exhausted by the long COVID-19 period, are reportedly smiling again. On the other hand, there are voices of concern from residents worried about discomfort caused by excessive commercialization or losing Seochon’s unique charm.

---Is there a possibility of revising the district unit plan?

▶According to related laws, district unit plans are reviewed for revision every five years, and Seochon’s plan was revised in July 2016. However, there are about 470 district unit planning zones in Seoul alone, making it practically difficult to revise all every five years. Therefore, Seoul has prepared a basic management plan for district units to prioritize revisions. According to this, Seochon is currently considered for revision between 2027 and 2030.

However, with changes in Seochon’s local conditions such as the Blue House opening, the revision schedule might be adjusted. The timing will be comprehensively reviewed along with other district unit planning zones. After examining priorities for necessary revisions, the revision timing for Seochon will also be considered accordingly.

---What should be done for the Blue House opening to create synergy in Seochon?

▶Many young artists and cultural figures have settled in Seochon. Cultural events linked to the Blue House opening could complement Seochon’s cultural aspects. I believe this will also boost residents’ pride. With the presidential office relocation, related Blue House facilities are expected to move as well. Since most are national land, detailed utilization plans will be established by the government, but if these facilities are used for purposes needed by residents, that too could create synergy.