Seocho-gu Banpodaero Area Launches Full-Scale Development of 'Chaeginneun Street'

District launches 'Seocho Book Street Promotion Committee' on the 8th to create and revitalize 'Seocho Book Street'
510m section from Seongmo Hospital Intersection to Nue Bridge centered on National Library to be developed as a cultural, artistic, and book-themed specialized street
District Mayor Jeon Seong-su: "We will develop Banpodaero's urban 'Seocho Book Street' into a K-reading culture landmark with a twist"

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 8th the official launch of the ‘Seocho Book Street Promotion Committee’ and is accelerating preparations for the creation and revitalization of the street.

Seocho-gu, home to the National Library of Korea, the largest national representative library in the country, will develop a 510-meter section from Nu-e Bridge to Seongmo Hospital Intersection into the ‘Seocho Book Street.’

This section is expected to become a reading culture-specialized street where culture, arts, and books harmonize by linking local libraries, bookstores, and various associations.

At the launch ceremony of the Promotion Committee on the 8th, representatives from related organizations attended, including Lee Soo-myeong, Acting Director of the National Library of Korea, Kang Eun-kyung, CEO of the Seocho Cultural Foundation, as well as representatives from Kyobo Bookstore, the Local Bookstore Association, and the independent bookstore Cool Diga. They received appointment letters and shared opinions representing their respective fields regarding the street development.

The launch of this Promotion Committee is expected to give momentum to the street development. The district plans to develop and operate various reading culture contents centered around the National Library of Korea and Seorae Park, creating a street where reading becomes a culture beyond just a street with libraries.

At ‘Seocho Book Street,’ various themed events such as book concerts, book markets, and reading Golden Bell quizzes will be held in accordance with the changing seasons. Additionally, activities like book treasure hunt stamp tours and character cosplay from books will stimulate children’s interest in reading, and a win-win project with neighborhood bookstores, such as Book Payback, will also be promoted.

Since last year, Seocho-gu has been conducting a basic planning project for the street development, laying the foundation for the creation of ‘Seocho Book Street’ by holding the 1st Seoripul Reading Golden Bell with over 700 residents at the National Library of Korea. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also supported the project by including Seocho-gu’s ‘Book Street’ and the related ‘Cultural Belt’ in the ‘4th Comprehensive Library Development Plan’ announced through the 2024 National Library Committee.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “‘Seocho Book Street’ is a space with a twist in the middle of Banpo-daero, which is filled with cars,” adding, “We will do our best to make this street a landmark of K-reading culture by joining forces with the National Library of Korea, Seocho Cultural Foundation, libraries, and neighborhood bookstores.”