Empty Subway Station Vacancy Transformed into Youth Space?

Seoul City Councilor Mun Seong-ho Holds Meeting with Seoul City, Seoul Metro, and Seodaemun-gu Officials to Finalize Plans for Youth Self-Development and Community Space in Commercial Area Vacant for 10 Years near Hongje Station, Construction Targeted for Next Year

The vacant commercial space at Hongje Station in Seodaemun-gu, which had been abandoned for over 10 years due to aging facilities and declining business viability, will be transformed into a youth-only space where reading, homework, art, and self-development and community activities are possible.

On the 11th, Moon Seong-ho, a Seoul city council member (People Power Party, Seodaemun 2), along with Kang Min-ha, a Seodaemun-gu council member, the head of the Urban Railway Operations Team at Seoul City Transportation Office, the head of the Commercial Advertising Department at Seoul Metro, and the head of the Children and Youth Division at Seodaemun-gu Office, visited the vacant space at Hongje Station in Seodaemun-gu to inspect the current condition and discuss the roles of each institution for the project launch.

This site visit to Hongje Station was conducted following Moon’s proposal in March to Seoul Metro, which included ideas for utilizing the vacant commercial space as a youth area called the "(tentative) Hongje Station Teenager Hideout Establishment Plan," leading to the concretization of the project.

Currently, there are 14 vacant commercial spaces at Hongje Station (Line 3), with the longest vacancy lasting over 142 months (11 years). The long-term vacancy accelerates facility aging and ultimately causes losses for Seoul Metro, the operator of the commercial spaces.

The issue of prolonged vacancy negatively impacts the surrounding commercial district and residents’ convenience, making it an urgent task to resolve for the station environment and regional development.

Council member Moon has received multiple complaints from parents about the need for a safe space for children in Seodaemun-gu to engage in activities after school. Accordingly, he considered remodeling the long-vacant station space.

Seoul Metro has actively accepted the proposal, and with the participation of Seoul City and Seodaemun-gu Office, the project is planned to commence construction next year.

Council member Moon said, “During this site visit, we discussed the roles of related institutions to expedite the youth space creation project and reviewed future plans and necessary matters. We will do our utmost to create a safe and pleasant youth space so that Hongje-dong becomes a great place for children and Seodaemun-gu a district where parents feel secure.”