In 2025, See Autumn Foliage from Namsan Gondola... Seoul City "Minimizing Environmental Damage"

Announcement of Design and Construction Bidding for Total Construction Cost of 40 Billion Won
From Yejang Park to the Summit... Transporting 1,600 People per Hour

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to revive the Namsan Gondola project, which was previously canceled twice, aiming for completion by 2025. On the 6th, Seoul announced a turnkey bid for the design and construction of the Namsan Gondola project, with a total construction cost of 40 billion KRW.

The gondola will operate over a total distance of 804 meters, running from Yejang Park (lower station), located 200 meters from Myeongdong Station, to the summit of Namsan (upper station). A one-way trip will take approximately 3 minutes. Two stations will be installed: the lower station within Yejang Park, spanning from basement level 1 to ground level 2 (total floor area 1,515.3㎡), and the upper station at the Namsan summit on ground level 1 (599㎡). Twenty-five cabins (each seating 10 passengers) will operate, transporting about 1,600 visitors per hour to Namsan. A Seoul city official explained, "The location and size were planned considering Namsan’s ecological environment and the Hanyangdoseong (cultural heritage)."

In particular, the lower station will utilize the Namsan Yejang Park bus transfer parking lot and passenger waiting area, originally designed to connect with the gondola. Barrier-free pathways will be created to ensure convenient access for mobility-vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from Myeongdong Station to the gondola boarding area.

Additionally, Seoul plans to consider various opinions regarding concerns about environmental damage and infringement on learning rights caused by the gondola installation. A city official stated, "We have built a consensus through continuous consultation, communication, and feedback with environmental groups, nearby residents, and surrounding schools," adding, "The discussed points have been included in the bid guidelines to be implemented during design and construction."

The main contents of the bid guidelines include △ selecting pole locations considering Namsan’s ecological environment and applying eco-friendly construction methods during the project △ establishing measures to protect privacy and learning rights for nearby residents, merchants, and schools △ devising safety measures for the gondola cable and minimizing impact on private property △ minimizing noise and dust generation during construction and operation.

Seoul plans to select a construction company in the first half of next year and hold resident briefings during the design phase. From November 2025, citizens will be able to use the gondola.

Furthermore, Seoul intends to establish the Namsan Ecological Leisure Fund (tentative name) to utilize all operating revenues from the gondola for various ecological conservation projects. The public funds raised through this fund will be used for detailed projects aimed at creating "the most ecological Namsan," based on the "Namsan-Myeongdong Area Ecological Leisure Activation" plan developed with civic groups and experts.

Meanwhile, according to Seoul, a recent public opinion survey conducted by Korea Research Co., Ltd. with 1,000 citizens showed that 80.7% support the introduction of the Namsan Gondola.

Yeo Jang-kwon, head of Seoul’s Balanced Development Headquarters, said, "We are officially starting the gondola project, a core part of the 'Sustainable Namsan Project' that harmonizes ecology and leisure," adding, "Once the gondola is installed, people will be able to conveniently enjoy the urban scenery all the way to the Namsan summit."