Oh Se-hoon "Opening the Era of 10 Million Han River Water Users"
Announcing the Follow-up 'Comprehensive Plan for Water Activity Activation' to 'Great Han River'
Regarding Safety Concerns, "Considering Various Safety Measures... Prepared by Zone Designation"
Project Cost 550.1 Billion KRW... Expected Annual Economic Effect of 925.6 Billion KRW
Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul has expanded his Han River grand renovation project, which aims to develop Seoul into one of the world's top five cities centered around the Han River, from the waterfront to the water itself. This broadens the maintenance and development plans that had been focused solely on the Han River banks for several years, with the intention of increasing citizens' access to the Han River and reaping economic benefits. The goal is the birth of the so-called 'River City' by 2030, where 10 million people use the Han River's water surface. The core idea is to build hotels and offices on the water and create marina complex facilities and food zones along the riverbanks to attract citizens to the Han River. The River Bus, a key project of Mayor Oh, will also enhance the utilization of the Han River. The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects an annual economic effect of 920 billion KRW.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon: "We will make the Han River water surface a hub for citizens, leisure, and growth"
On the morning of the same day at Seoul City Hall, Mayor Oh announced the 'Comprehensive Plan for Activating the Han River Water Surface,' stating, "We will make the Han River water surface a space for citizens' daily lives, a center for leisure, and a hub for growth."
This comprehensive plan is a follow-up to the 'Great Han River Project' launched in March last year to maximize the value of the Han River. It specifies policies related to the water surface while including new projects that can create synergy effects. Mayor Oh explained, "Last year, the Great Han River focused on activating the waterfront, but this time the focus is on how to activate the water surface. It aims to enhance the use of Han River water resources and strengthen its function as a world-class training city."
Accordingly, the plan, aiming for '2030 River City, Seoul,' includes three major strategies, ten promotion tasks, and 26 detailed projects. First, floating facilities such as 'water hotels' and 'water offices' that are safe even when the Han River water level rises will be established. The offices will be promoted as public contributions to the Han River bank maintenance projects or through public-private partnerships, while the hotels will be investigated for feasibility by the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) and private operators will be selected.
A 'water food zone' where people can enjoy various global cuisines while viewing the Han River scenery and the 'Han River River Bus,' a public transportation and tourism means utilizing the advantages of water travel, will also be operated. The River Bus is scheduled for a full launch in October this year, with plans to abolish existing water taxis and introduce small-scale demand-customized vessels to revitalize tourism.
Facilities for citizens' leisure will also be significantly expanded. A 'cable water ski resort,' a leisure facility that even beginners can participate in, will be operated, and the 'Ttukseom Windsurfing Site,' previously available only to certain group members, will be opened to all citizens. The country's first 'Water Disaster Safety Experience Center,' where visitors can learn water disaster response methods through virtual reality (VR) and 4D, will be accessible to citizens by 2025.
An urban marina utilizing the Han River banks will also be newly created. The mooring facilities for vessels within the Han River will be increased to a total of 1,000 berths, and a new urban marina will be built in Jamsil. Starting next year, design and construction will begin on a medium-to-large urban marina capable of mooring medium and large vessels. Additionally, a pier will be constructed in Yeouido to activate the Yeouido-Gyeongin Ara Waterway, with the future goal of creating Seoul Port, where passengers can board in Yeouido and travel along the Han River to the West Sea.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the follow-up "Han River Water Activation Comprehensive Plan" to the "Great Han River Project" at Seoul City Hall on the 24th. By 2030, water hotels, water food zones, and water offices will be created, transforming the Han River's waters into everyday spaces. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@
Concerns about ecosystem damage addressed: "Strengthening water surface functions will not cause destruction"
The total project cost is expected to be 550.1 billion KRW, utilizing private investment (313.5 billion KRW) and public funds (236.6 billion KRW). Meanwhile, through this comprehensive plan, Seoul expects an annual production ripple effect of 644.5 billion KRW, an annual added value effect of 281.1 billion KRW, totaling an annual economic effect of 925.6 billion KRW. The creation of approximately 6,800 jobs is a separate effect. These results reflect the expenditure of 10 million water surface users and the induced multiplier (based on the 2015 regional input-output table for Seoul).
Regarding concerns about ecological impact raised by some, Mayor Oh stated, "About ten years ago, when planning the Han River Renaissance Project, the biggest opposition and criticism came from environmental damage concerns," but he evaluated, "As a result, after more than ten years, the eco-friendly water surface and waterfront ecosystem of the Han River have greatly improved." He added, "Activating water surface functions does not mean the ecosystem will be destroyed or that environmentally harmful situations will arise."
Regarding the safety of the water hotels and offices announced by Seoul City on this day, he explained, "We have established a foundation for water safety and supplemented facilities so that we can fully prepare for any ship collision accidents or various safety issues that may arise as usage increases," and that measures to designate separate zones to prevent accidents in advance are also being prepared.
Mayor Oh said, "Through the Comprehensive Plan for Activating the Han River Water Surface, the water above the Han River, which had only been viewed until now, will be reborn as a space that citizens can enjoy in their daily lives. We will make the Han River water surface a space for citizens' daily lives, a center for leisure, and a hub for growth, satisfying the increasing demand for water leisure, creating many jobs and economic effects, and making it a driving force for Seoul's growth."
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