Promotion of Noksapyeong Square Area as a Tourist Attraction to Revitalize Itaewon Tourism District

Secured 400 Million KRW Including 200 Million KRW National Funding for Tourism Special Zone Contest Project
‘Itaewon·Yongridan-gil TF Team’ Also Formed
Promoting ‘Global Shiny Itaewon Tourism Special Zone Revitalization Project’

Night aerial view of Noksapyeong Square. Provided by Yongsan-gu.

The area around Noksapyeong Square within the Itaewon Tourism District will be developed into a local attraction. Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) announced on the 15th that it was finally selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "2024 Tourism District Revitalization Support Project" and will receive 200 million KRW in national funding.

This project aims to turn the area around Noksapyeong Square in the Itaewon Tourism District into a tourist attraction, with Yongsan-gu being the only district in Seoul selected. Among the five local governments nationwide chosen for this project, Yongsan-gu secured the highest support fund of 200 million KRW in national funding, totaling 400 million KRW in project expenses.

Noksapyeong Square, located at the starting point of the Itaewon Tourism District, is adjacent to a subway station and bus stops, providing a favorable environment for tourist inflow. However, it tends to be sparsely populated at night, resulting in lower utilization compared to its value and potential.

To address these issues, the district formed the "Itaewon·Yongridan-gil TF Team" and has been striving to revitalize tourism in Yongsan-gu. Efforts have included producing tourism promotional videos, conducting a five-year plan for tourism district revitalization, issuing special vouchers to recover the Itaewon commercial area, hosting "Walk Itaewon in Spring" busking events, small concerts, and color therapy, all aimed at boosting the local economy. As a result of these efforts, Yongsan-gu was selected as an "Excellent District" in this year's Seoul Tourism District evaluation.

The district plans to redevelop the area around Noksapyeong Square under the theme of "Itaewon's Hidden Gem" by implementing the "Global Shiny Itaewon Tourism District Revitalization Project." The concept is to create a space that serves as a healing and attractive photo spot during the day and a romantic space at night, developing tourism content and infrastructure accordingly.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, stated, "Discovering Itaewon's unique tourism content will maximize its charm and elevate its status as a global tourist destination." He added, "We will continue to do our best to create a safe and comfortable tourism environment for both residents and visitors."

Meanwhile, the Itaewon Tourism District, designated as Seoul's first tourism district in 1997, has raised the need for readjustment due to its long history and limited space. The district is currently conducting research to expand, adjust, or newly add tourism districts.