Seongdong-gu Majang-dong Food Alley Disappears into History

A Model Case of Peaceful Reorganization of Majang-dong Food Alley Illegally Occupying State-Public Land for About 35 Years Without Physical Conflict... Completed Relocation of 22 Businesses by Creating 'Ansim Sangga Majang Cheonggye Branch' as a Win-Win Solution for Residents and Food Alley Merchants... Demolition Started on May 8 and Scheduled to Complete by May 27, with the Demolition Site Planned for Resident Convenience Facilities

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that the Majang-dong Food Alley, which had been operating without authorization for about 35 years, has disappeared into history starting with a full-scale demolition and maintenance on May 8.

Seongdong-gu plans to complete the demolition of the Majang-dong Food Alley by May 27 and create convenience facilities for residents in consultation with landowners and related organizations.

The Majang-dong Food Alley originated around the time of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. According to the redevelopment plan for the area around the cattle slaughterhouse and the Cheonggyecheon riverside road, the Seoul Metropolitan Government relocated street vendors near Cheonggyecheon to the current Majang-dong 437 area (public land), during which unauthorized buildings emerged, forming the Majang-dong Food Alley.

Although the Majang-dong Food Alley maintained a long-standing presence due to its nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of traditional establishments, it was effectively an illegal unauthorized occupancy and operation zone, placing it in a blind spot for hygiene and safety. The building structure, where shops made of sandwich panels were tightly connected, was inherently vulnerable to safety risks. Given the nature of the businesses that required the use of LPG gas and charcoal fires for grilling or processing meat, the risk of fire was always latent.

On March 19, 2022, a large-scale fire caused by an electrical short circuit rapidly spread, completely destroying 10 shops and partially damaging one, resulting in significant damage. However, the fire also raised awareness among many about the necessity and urgency of redevelopment. Although efforts had been made to remove hazards and resolve illegal occupancy before the fire, strong opposition from business owners asserting their right to livelihood had made progress difficult.

To redevelop the Majang-dong Food Alley, Seongdong-gu first sought to build consensus not only among occupants but also among nearby merchants and residents. Through multiple residents’ briefings and merchants’ meetings, the purpose of the redevelopment was explained, fostering understanding and persuasion.

Unlike the surrounding merchants and residents, the strong opposition from business owners persisted, so Seongdong-gu sought alternative commercial spaces available at affordable rents. This was based on the judgment that business owners, whose livelihoods were at stake, would face a significant burden if required to pay high rents to relocate to new business premises.

After scouting near the livestock market, Seongdong-gu focused on the ‘Majang Cheonggye Platform 525’ building, owned by Seoul City, which had been constructed as an urban regeneration hub facility but remained vacant. After about a year of negotiations with Seoul City, the urban regeneration designation was removed, and Seongdong-gu completed the purchase of the facility in August last year.

Immediately after acquiring the building, remodeling was undertaken to convert the existing office facilities into neighborhood living facilities suitable for restaurants and other businesses, reborn as the ‘Safe Commercial Complex Majang Cheonggye Branch (Majang Food Alley Town).’

Additionally, Seongdong-gu continued to persuade the food alley business owners to relocate to the Safe Commercial Complex. Occupants who initially refused to move due to concerns about giving up a stable commercial area and anxiety about relocation gradually changed their minds after prolonged persuasion. Five businesses ceased operations without relocating.

Starting in early November 2023, 12 restaurants completed their relocation to the Safe Commercial Complex within the same month. Between February and March 2024, nine more businesses moved, and the last remaining one finally relocated on May 8, marking the end of unauthorized operations within the Majang-dong Food Alley.

Thus, the redevelopment of the Majang-dong Food Alley stands as an unprecedented exemplary case of peacefully reorganizing a large-scale illegal unauthorized occupancy area, which housed 33 businesses at the time of the fire, without physical confrontation such as administrative enforcement.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I am grateful to the business owners, nearby merchants, and residents who cooperated during the redevelopment process of the Majang-dong Food Alley. We will continue to make meticulous efforts to carry on the old reputation of Majang-dong Food Alley at the Seongdong Safe Commercial Complex Majang Cheonggye Branch.”