Improvement of Residential Conditions on the West Side of Gyeongbokgung, Including Cheongunhyoja and Sajik-dong in Jongno-gu

Cheongun Hyoja-dong area

Helping with all administrative procedures including subsidy applications through matching Hanok owners with experts

Non-Hanok houses can apply throughout February and receive subsidies up to 12 million KRW for various home repair costs such as roofing, waterproofing, and insulation

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Munheon) will officially launch the "Home Repair Support Project" and alleyway landscape improvement project from February to improve the living conditions of residents in the urban regeneration activation area on the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The target area, commonly known as the west side of Gyeongbokgung, includes Cheongunhyoja-dong and Sajik-dong. Although it is considered a representative historical and cultural center of South Korea, many buildings were constructed before the 1980s, and the need for residential environment improvement has been continuously raised.

The district plans to promote customized improvement projects tailored to the characteristics of Hanok and non-Hanok houses in this area.

First, for Hanok houses, the district will assist with all administrative procedures from matching owners with experts to applying for subsidies for registered Hanok and repair costs, while also conducting termite damage diagnosis and control projects that typically occur in spring. Hanok repair costs will be supported after review by the Seoul Architectural Heritage Expert Committee, divided into exterior and interior support. For more details, please refer to the district office website or the Seoul Hanok Portal.

For detached or multi-family houses (non-Hanok) that have been approved for use for over 20 years, applications will be accepted from February 1 to 28, and subsidies up to 12 million KRW will be provided for home repair costs such as roofing, waterproofing, and insulation. Priority will be given to vulnerable groups, and general applicants will be evaluated by a subsidy review committee considering factors such as housing aging and length of residence.

Additionally, Jongno-gu plans to purchase vacant lots and buildings in the Okindong area, where the alleyway sidewalk environment improvement project was completed in 2022, and promote various projects focused on providing convenience to residents such as open spaces, rest areas, and parking spaces. The district will also implement alleyway landscape improvement projects applying Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to create a safe living environment for residents.

Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “The west side of Gyeongbokgung is known as a representative Hanok residential area with the highest proportion of residential Hanok within the Hanyangdoseong Fortress, so more detailed improvement plans including relaxation of district unit regulations and resident support are necessary. We expect this project to improve the living environment for residents in this area.”