"10-Year Long-Awaited Project, Woo Hangang Renaissance Dashed"

Site for 2nd Sejong Center Changed from Mullae to Yeouido
Resident Opposition Intensifies..."Project Completed Feasibility Study"
Policy Credibility Questioned...Low Possibility of Reversal

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has officially decided to build the Second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Yeouido as part of the ‘Hangang Renaissance 2.0’ project, sparking growing controversy. In Mullae-dong, where the construction of the Second Sejong Center has been pursued for over 10 years, residents are saying, "A long-awaited project with budget allocation was overturned by a single word from the mayor and district mayor trying to build their achievements," and there are even moves to initiate a resident recall.

According to Seoul City on the 14th, the city has selected Yeouido Park as the site for the Second Sejong Center. This was officially announced by Mayor Oh on the 9th when he unveiled the ‘Great Hangang Project,’ part of Hangang Renaissance 2.0. Mayor Oh stated, "We will create a special cultural and artistic space so that the Hangang River transforms into a more diverse and attractive area."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is speaking at the 'Great Hangang (Hangang Renaissance 2.0 Project)' press briefing held on the 9th at the Seoul City Hall briefing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The issue is that since 2010, the establishment of the Second Sejong Center has been promoted in Mullae-dong under the name of ‘building cultural infrastructure in the southwestern area.’ In fact, the project gained momentum when Seoul City announced the construction plan in 2019 during former Mayor Park Won-soon’s tenure. In 2020, a feasibility study was conducted, and in 2021, it passed the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. A budget of 750 million KRW was also allocated by Seoul City for the design competition. In February last year, the Seoul City Council approved the Seoul City Shared Property Management Plan, seemingly completing the administrative procedures for the construction of the Second Sejong Center in Mullae-dong. At that time, Ahn Ho-sang, president of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, also estimated the completion year to be 2028, saying, "The Second Sejong Center is scheduled to be built in Mullae-dong."

However, the situation changed rapidly after the June 1 local elections last year, when Mayor Oh and Choi Ho-kwon, a member of the People Power Party and Yeongdeungpo District Mayor, were elected. Although Mayor Choi pledged to build the Second Sejong Center during his campaign, he took a negative stance on the Mullae-dong site after taking office. The biggest issue Mayor Choi raised was Seoul City’s request to use the district-owned land free of charge. Mayor Choi considered it inappropriate for the district not to receive land usage fees while constructing a municipal facility like the Second Sejong Center.

Perspective rendering of the planned Second Sejong Cultural Center to be built in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

However, residents find it difficult to accept Mayor Choi’s opinion. The Mullae-dong site was donated through redevelopment of the former Bangnim Spinning site but has remained barren land until now. A resident in their 40s living in Mullae-dong said, "For over 20 years, it was just an empty lot full of scrap metal, and only recently was it used as a garden. How can opposing the construction of the Second Sejong Center because of not receiving usage fees make sense?" and added, "It’s just an excuse to change the site to Yeouido."

Seoul City also cited location and site size as reasons for changing the site of the Second Sejong Center. Hong Seon-ki, Director of Future Space Planning at Seoul City, explained, "Since Mayor Oh’s inauguration in September last year, it was pointed out that the Mullae-dong site is surrounded by large apartment complexes and the land is not spacious. Therefore, it was judged that it would be more appropriate to build it in Yeouido, which is being developed as an international financial center."

As the project, which had been pursued for over 10 years, was scrapped, an online community of 30,000 Mullae-dong residents has filed complaints with Seoul City and there are calls to initiate a recall of Mayor Choi. One resident said, "The feasibility study has already passed, so raising issues about size or location now is illogical," adding, "How can we trust policies if this continues?" Another resident said, "Ignoring residents’ opinions, I will actively participate in the recall of the Yeongdeungpo District Mayor who is collaborating with Mayor Oh."

Choi Jae-ran, Seoul City Council Member

Since the original plan to build the Second Sejong Center in Mullae-dong was to establish cultural infrastructure in the southwestern area, there is also opposition from the neighboring Yangcheon District. Seoul City Council member Choi Jae-ran said, "Mullae-dong is geographically adjacent to Yangcheon and Guro Districts, making it advantageous as a cultural hub in the southwestern area," and added, "I suspect Seoul City’s decision was ultimately influenced by Mayor Oh’s Hangang Renaissance 2.0 vision."

However, at present, despite such opposition, the likelihood of Seoul City changing its plan to build the Second Sejong Center in Yeouido is low. A Seoul City official said, "Internally, it has been decided to build the Second Sejong Center on the Yeouido Park site visible from the Hangang riverside," adding, "The expected site area is 5,000 pyeong (about 16,500㎡), and the total floor area is 41,000㎡, but it may be expanded through a design competition."