What Is the Vision for Gangdong-gu to Become the Eastern Metropolitan Area Hub?

Gangdong-gu Advances as the Center of the Eastern Metropolitan Area

Presenting Core Strategies in Economy, Transportation, and Environment… Strengthening Positive Changes

Creating a Distinctive Image of ‘Gangdong-gu’… A Proud City Where Everyone Wants to Live

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 1st that it will present core strategies in the fields of economy, transportation, and environment to advance as the center of the eastern metropolitan area amid the greatest changes since its establishment.

Currently, the district stands at the heart of dynamic changes more than ever before. With large-scale reconstruction projects such as the Dunchon Jugong Apartments (12,032 households), the largest in the nation, as well as land development and business complexes (Godeok Biz Valley, Godeok Gangil District, etc.), the population is expected to reach 550,000 after 2025.

In particular, Gangdong-gu is a local government with high growth potential, having ranked first in Seoul’s total fertility rate for two consecutive years. Accordingly, the district has unveiled core strategies in economy, transportation, and environment to further empower these positive changes.

Three Pillars of the Eastern Metropolitan Area’s Economic Center: Godeok Biz Valley, Advanced Business Complex, and General Industrial Complex

Since July last year, companies have begun moving into Godeok Biz Valley, reshaping Gangdong’s economic landscape. This year, a total of 12 companies will move in, and next year, IKEA?the first to open a store in Seoul?along with E-Mart and CGV, are scheduled to open. It will establish itself as a complex cultural space for residents to enjoy shopping, culture, and leisure, emerging as a hot spot attracting residents from neighboring areas. By 2025, when 25 companies and commercial, business, and public facilities are fully occupied, it is expected to significantly contribute to revitalizing the local economy with the creation of approximately 38,000 jobs and an induced economic effect of 9.5 trillion KRW.

In particular, through Godeok Biz Valley, the employment paradigm will shift from public job creation policies centered on financial support to private sector job creation methods.

Lee Su-hee, Mayor of Gangdong District

In connection with local youth employment academies, the district plans to strengthen employment linkage services for young people and expand socially responsible jobs within tenant companies by targeting niche job markets.

Additionally, the Gangdong General Industrial Complex, which is restructuring Gangdong’s industrial structure around engineering, will begin land sales to prominent companies this year and is scheduled for phased completion starting in 2025. Together with the advanced business complex housing companies like Samsung Engineering, Godeok Biz Valley and the general industrial complex will lead Gangdong-gu to become the economic center of the eastern metropolitan area.

Emerging as a Transportation Hub Connecting the Eastern Metropolitan Area

The Phase 4 project of Subway Line 9, first proposed in 2007, officially began construction this March after 16 years. When opened in 2028, it will form a new center along the axis of Godeok Station, (tentative) Hanyeong Foreign Language High School Station, and (tentative) Gildong Ecological Park Station, enabling travel to Gangnam without transfers within 30 minutes. The Amsa Station Park Station, an extension of Subway Line 8, is scheduled for completion in June next year and is expected to serve as a major gateway city accommodating new towns in northeastern Gyeonggi Province.

The Sejong-Pocheon Expressway, known as the second Gyeongbu Expressway, will be completed by the end of next year. Just as Gangnam’s development began with the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway in the 1970s, this will be an opportunity for Gangdong to take a step forward as a transportation hub.

Furthermore, the GTX-D line passing through Gangdong-gu and the direct connection of Subway Line 5 are top priorities to become the transportation center of the eastern metropolitan area.

Recently, the presidential pledge to expand ‘new GTX lines’ was included in the national agenda, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is conducting an ‘Integrated Planning Study for the Expansion of Metropolitan Area Express Railroads.’ Including a meeting in February this year, Mayor Lee has met the Minister of Land four times to convey residents’ hopes for attracting the GTX-D line. Going forward, continuous consultations and proposals will be made with the Ministry and related organizations to ensure that the GTX-D line includes Gangdong-gu.

Regarding Subway Line 5, the line branches at Gangdong Station toward Hanam Geomdansan and Macheon, causing long intervals and severe congestion, which greatly inconveniences residents. Although four additional trains have been added during peak hours since April, the direct connection project linking Gubeundari Station and Dunchon-dong Station on Line 5 is essential to improve convenience. This year, 200 million KRW was allocated in the city budget for a preliminary feasibility re-examination of the Line 5 direct connection, and the city’s transportation policy department plans to proceed with the study in the second half of the year.

To address other pressing transportation issues, a dedicated transportation task force team was established in January this year, and transportation experts have been reinforced to do their best in improving transportation welfare.

Godeok Biz Valley ? Construction site photos of Godeok Bridge (tentative name)

Creating Ecological Roads (Skywalks, etc.) That Bring Healing to Residents’ Lives

Gangdong-gu boasts natural scenery surrounded by greenery, rare in Seoul, including Godeoksan and Iljasan mountains. In particular, Godeok Riverside Ecological Park and Amsa Riverside Ecological Park are well preserved, with endangered species such as otters, Korean tree frogs, and leopard cats found there.

To fully appreciate the beauty of these ecological parks, a skywalk will be constructed over the Han River surface next to the ecological parks, providing residents with a healing space. The feasibility study is currently underway, scheduled to be completed by the end of October. A rough outline will be available in the second half of this year, and close consultations with Seoul city and related agencies are ongoing.

Additionally, the Amsa Green Path project, connecting the Seoul Amsa-dong Historic Site and Han River Park as green spaces, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It will restore the previously disconnected ecological environment and local historical significance, and most importantly, improve access to the Han River in Gangdong, attracting many visitors.

Around the Amsa Green Path, approximately 110,000 square meters of Amsa History Park will be developed. Facilities such as a forest playground for toddlers, forest experience zones, picnic areas, and grassy lawns will be created. Currently, 84% of land compensation has been completed. To expedite compensation, close cooperation with related agencies is ongoing regarding securing funds and other matters, with completion targeted by 2026.

Moreover, Godeokcheon Stream has been selected as a Seoul city waterfront vitality hub, and a kickoff meeting was held in May this year. Plans include installing media screens and water-friendly rapids to create a waterfront-friendly resting area in the urban environment.

Furthermore, the Godeok Bridge (tentative name), scheduled to open next year, is designed as a cable-stayed bridge similar to Olympic Bridge. When combined with sunset views and nighttime lighting, it will become the most beautiful bridge among the 32 bridges over the Han River.

The skywalk over the Han River, the Amsa Green Path and Amsa History Park connecting to the Seoul Amsa-dong Historic Site, the waterfront ambiance of Godeokcheon Stream, and the illuminated Godeok Bridge (tentative name) will create ecological roads centered on the Han River, providing residents with healing spaces and becoming new landmarks of Seoul.

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “We will support Gangdong’s transformation as the center of the eastern metropolitan area,” adding, “We will do our best to make the district itself a brand and a proud city where everyone wants to live.”