Plan to Demolish Sewoon Sangga Skywalk: "Let's Proceed" vs "Waste of Taxes"

At the Demolition Public Hearing... Residents Divided
"Low Daily Foot Traffic and No Sunlight for Lower Shops"
"Demolition Decision Made in Just 2 Years, Waste of Time and Taxes"

Seoul City held a public hearing with residents as it pushes for the demolition of the Sewoon Arcade elevated walkway, which cost 110.9 billion won during Mayor Park Won-soon's administration. Opinions were divided at the hearing.

On the 23rd, Seoul City held a public hearing on the 'Amendment Plan for the Urban Regeneration Activation Plan in the Sewoon Arcade Area' at the small auditorium of Jung-gu Community Center. The hearing aimed to gather citizens' opinions on demolishing part of the elevated walkway in the Sewoon Arcade area and improving the pedestrian environment at ground level. At the hearing, concerns were raised that the elevated walkway had low usage and hindered pedestrian and street environments. On the other hand, there was criticism that demolishing a facility that cost over 100 billion won just two years after its completion was a premature decision.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, a public hearing on the 'Amendment to the Urban Regeneration Activation Plan for the Sewoon Sangga Area' is being held at the small auditorium of the Jung-gu Community Center in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The elevated walkway is a 1 km-long bridge connecting the third floors of seven arcades, including Sewoon Arcade, Cheonggye Arcade, and Jinyang Arcade. It was promoted in 2016 as part of an urban regeneration project to preserve the Sewoon Arcade area. The entire section was opened in 2022, with a project cost of 110.9 billion won.

The city announced that a survey of daily pedestrian traffic on the elevated walkway showed actual usage was only 6.7% of the forecasted amount at the time of planning. Accordingly, it plans to first demolish the approximately 250 m section of the pedestrian bridge installed between Sampung Arcade and PJ Hotel. The remaining 750 m section will be demolished in phases and converted into a park.

Regarding this amendment to the urban regeneration activation plan, some have criticized it as an attempt to erase Park Won-soon's legacy. A resident who attended the hearing, Mr. Lee, said, "After four years of construction, now they want to demolish it. It's a waste of tax money and time."

Starting with this public hearing, the city plans to carry out partial demolition and pedestrian environment improvement projects as early as the first half of next year after review and deliberation.