[Notice] 6 Months Since Cheong Opening... Finding Seoul's Future in Seochon

Last May, with the opening of Cheongwadae, once the cradle of power, the Seochon area centered around Cheongwadae, Seochon, Bukchon, and the five major palaces is experiencing a new turning point. Gwanghwamun Square has been renovated and returned to the citizens, and the Songhyeon-dong site, which was forbidden land for a century, has been opened to the public ahead of the construction of the ‘Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall.’ This is a time when the need for a grand design of the four major historic city gates is increasing.

Asia Economy’s ‘Seoul Future Forum’ is a platform for a grand design that envisions Seoul’s future together through an annual forum with a future advisory group for Seoul, involving various stakeholders such as the National Assembly, government, local governments, experts, and citizens. This year, the forum begins with the theme ‘The Future of Seoul, The Future of Seochon’ as the ‘2022 Seoul Future Forum.’

This forum marks six months since the opening of Cheongwadae and reflects on the history of the historic city center including Cheongwadae, Seochon, and Bukchon, while exploring ‘the future of Seochon’ together with leaders from various fields. Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, known as the ‘Alleyway Economist,’ will deliver the keynote speech, providing a clear analysis and vision on why and how Seoul’s future should be found in Seochon as it expands from ‘alleyways’ to ‘neighborhoods’ and from ‘neighborhoods’ to ‘cities.’

In the first session, titled ‘Historical Reflection and Grand Design,’ Hwang Pyung-woo, director of the Korea Cultural Heritage Policy Institute, will present the origins, historical significance, cultural background of Seochon and its surroundings that we did not know, as well as the future of Seochon. In the second session, titled ‘Policy Status and Challenges,’ Professor Kim Jeong-hyun of Hongik University College of Architecture and Urban Studies will propose a concrete plan to utilize Cheongwadae and its surroundings as a space that commemorates the value of remembering history and sharing empathy.

After each session, a panel discussion moderated by Baek Young-ran, CEO of History Bookstore, will be held. Former Seoul National University Professor Robert Fauzer and PMA CEO Yoo Na-kyung will present the future of Seochon learned from overseas historic city centers and past policies. Jeong Jun-mo, former head of curatorial research at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Jang Min-su, co-representative of the Seochon Residential Complex Research Association, and Kim Yoo-sik, director of Seoul City Hanok Policy Division, will discuss the tasks necessary to make Seochon a place where people want to live, visit, and enjoy culture and arts.

The Seoul Future Forum will select themes annually and provide practical solutions to help design Seoul’s future. Asia Economy will continue to do its best to create a space for communication among the National Assembly, government, local governments, businesses, academia, and civil society. We look forward to your great interest and participation in the ‘2022 Seoul Future Forum.’