Seoul City Collects Public Opinions on Yeonsero Public Transit-Only Zone... Discussion Forum to be Held on the 21st

‘Citizen Forum for Public Opinion Collection on Yeonse-ro Public Transport-Only Zone’ Held
Presentations by Academia, Seoul City, Seodaemun-gu…Designated Discussions with Local Residents, Merchants, University Students, and Civic Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 17th that it will hold a citizen forum on the 21st at the ‘Sinchon Paranggorae 3rd Floor Kkumireum Hall’ near Yonsei-ro, where local residents, merchants near Yonsei-ro, university students, civic groups, experts, and related organizations will participate to gather in-depth opinions from various sectors regarding the ‘Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone.’

The Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone, the first pedestrian and public transportation-only space created by Seoul City, was established in January 2014 as a cultural street where people can walk, rest, and enjoy, rather than just pass through. The public transportation-only zone restricts general vehicle traffic to ensure smooth operation of public transportation, revitalize commercial districts, and create a pleasant pedestrian environment. When the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone was created, the pedestrian environment was improved by widening sidewalks, eliminating height differences between sidewalks and roadways, reducing lanes, and removing pedestrian obstacles to allow comfortable pedestrian passage.

On September 23, Seodaemun-gu officially requested the cancellation of the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone to improve vehicle accessibility, resolve traffic inconveniences, and revive the Sinchon commercial district. However, Seoul City is conducting a comprehensive review considering the purpose and symbolism of the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone, the difficulties faced by Sinchon merchants, citizen opinions, and traffic impact analysis.

Accordingly, the upcoming forum will involve various discussions on the current status of the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation Zone, traffic volume, and citizen opinions. Participants from academia, resident representatives, merchant representatives, university students, civic groups, and related organizations will attend the forum. Through the forum, the city plans to collect diverse opinions on the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone while deeply considering its symbolism and policy significance to decide future operational directions.

Meanwhile, the forum is open to all citizens without prior registration and will be broadcast live online on the ‘Seoul City YouTube Channel’ and ‘Live Seoul,’ allowing real-time viewing. Baek Ho, Director of the Seoul City Urban Transportation Office, stated, “At this forum, we plan to listen to in-depth opinions from local residents and various sectors on the future direction of the Yonsei-ro Public Transportation-Only Zone,” adding, “We ask for the active interest and participation of citizens so that this can become an opportunity for the advancement of Seoul’s transportation policy.”