Yangsan-si, Urban Regeneration Project Village Cafe 'Mokhwadang 1944' Revitalizes Old Downtown

Operated by the Sapryang Cultural Village Cooperative
Over 3,000 Visitors Since Opening in January

As part of the urban regeneration project in the northern district of Yangsan, Gyeongnam, the village cafe ‘Mokhwadang 1944’ is revitalizing the old downtown area.

Urban Regeneration Project Village Cafe Mokhwadang. Provided by Yangsan City

The village cafe ‘Mokhwadang 1944’ is a space remodeled from an old warehouse building, a modern architectural structure, through the northern district urban regeneration project, and is operated by the ‘Sapryang Cultural Village Cooperative’.

The ‘Sapryang Cultural Village Cooperative’ is an organization established as part of the northern district urban regeneration project, involving residents of Jungang-dong, Yangsan City. It started in 2019 with six founding members and, as of 2025, consists of 14 members who are dedicated to operating the village cafe.

Since its official opening in January, ‘Mokhwadang 1944’ has welcomed about 3,000 visitors (approximately 100 visitors daily), developing into a space where residents can gather and communicate. The Sapryang Cultural Village Cooperative prioritizes revitalizing and sustaining the old downtown area over pursuing profits through the cafe. They plan to reinvest the cafe’s long-term profits into the community and operate various events and programs that contribute to regional development.

Woo Hyun-wook, chairman of the Sapryang Cultural Village Cooperative, said, “By redeveloping and remodeling a building that preserves the history and culture of the old downtown?not through redevelopment or reconstruction but by remodeling the existing building into a village cafe?we are operating a space where the community and residents coexist.” He added, “Recently, through an interview on a TV program focusing on modern cultural heritage, I shared our experiences and hopes while running the village cafe through the cooperative. To restore the former glory of the once vibrant old downtown area, not only I but also the cooperative members and residents will join forces and work even harder.”