Seongsu Station Rises to 13th Place Among 286 Seoul Subway Stations in 2024 with Over 32.22 Million Passengers
Remarkable Leap from 58th Place Ten Years Ago...
Seongsu and Ttukseom Stations Both Enter Top 10 for Passenger Growth Rate Over the Past Decade
Urban Regeneration and Corporate Attraction Drive Growth
Red Brick Buildings and Understand Avenue Draw Tourists,
Establishing Seongsu-dong as a Globally Recognized City
The number of passengers boarding and alighting at Seongsu Station in Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) surpassed 30 million in 2024.
According to Seoul Metro's 'Seoul Subway Lines 1-8 Transport Statistics,' the number of passengers at Line 2's Seongsu Station, which ranked 58th (about 18.54 million) ten years ago in 2014, jumped to 13th place (about 32.22 million) in 2024. This is an indicator proving the rapid growth of Seongsu-dong, which has emerged as a 'hot place.'
Seongsu Station rose from the 50th rank (58th) in 2014 to the 40th rank (42nd) in 2018, entered the top 20 (24th) in 2020, and has steadily grown by climbing two ranks each year for four consecutive years: 19th in 2021, 17th in 2022, 15th in 2023, and 13th in 2024.
In terms of the increase rate of users from 2014 to 2024, Seongsu Station ranked 6th and Ttukseom Station ranked 9th, with both stations in Seongsu-dong entering the top 10, drawing attention. Unlike other areas such as Magok (1st), Jichuk (2nd), and Jamsil (5th), where large-scale development projects were underway, Seongsu-dong's remarkable development through its own growth momentum is a noteworthy achievement.
The remarkable growth of Seongsu-dong, represented by Seongsu Station, is the fruit of urban regeneration and corporate attraction strategies led by Seongdong-gu through public-private cooperation.
In 2014, Seongdong-gu designated the Seongsu-dong redevelopment area as an urban regeneration zone instead of redevelopment, choosing a strategy to maintain and develop Seongsu-dong's unique industrial and cultural identity. Through urban regeneration projects utilizing red brick buildings reflecting its past industrial identity, the district introduced policies providing incentives for new construction and extensions or renovations. As a result, 130 red brick buildings have been established in Seongsu-dong, and global brands such as Blue Bottle, IKEA, Patagonia, and KITH have settled there.
Additionally, since 2014, tax benefits such as acquisition tax and property tax reductions have been provided for knowledge industry centers, and a one-stop processing system was introduced to shorten the building permit and approval process from one month to a maximum of five days. In 2017, the district implemented the nation's first social venture promotion policy, and in 2021, it created a business-friendly environment by designating the Seongsu IT Industry Distribution Development Promotion District.
Thanks to these efforts, the number of companies in Seongsu-dong nearly doubled from 10,000 in 2013 to 19,200 in 2024, and the number of employees increased from 70,000 to 124,923, a 1.8-fold increase. Various companies such as SM Entertainment, Gentle Monster, Krafton, Clio, and Heyground have established their bases in Seongsu-dong. The 'Seoul GRDP Report' released in 2023 also showed that Seongdong-gu's GRDP growth rate was 10.92%, ranking first among Seoul's autonomous districts.
The transformation of Seongsu-dong is gaining global attention beyond Korea. In 2024, the famous British travel and culture magazine Timeout ranked Seongsu-dong 4th among the 'World's Coolest Neighborhoods,' noting that Seongsu-dong, once a center for leather, printing, and shoemaking industries, has now transformed into one of Seoul's most creative neighborhoods. It highlighted red brick buildings like Daerim Warehouse and Grandfather Factory, and the Understand Avenue made of over 100 containers as local attractions. It also introduced KITH, the first global fashion brand to open in Korea, and Musinsa, a leader in K-fashion, recognizing the area's unique cultural and economic value.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "The growth of Seongsu-dong is not a mere temporary trend but the result of strategic policies by Seongdong-gu combined with the self-sustaining competitiveness of the local commercial district. We will cooperate with residents and businesses to establish a sustainable growth model so that Seongsu-dong can become the center of Seoul's future economy and cultural development."
Yeongdeungpo-gu to Promote Complex Development of Munrae Neighborhood Park Underground Space
Plans to Create a 3-Story Underground Rainwater Storage Tank and 1-2 Floor Public Parking Lot... Expected 'Triple Effect' of Flood Prevention, Parking Relief, and Park Usage Activation
Feasibility Study This Year, Target Completion in 2029
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it is promoting a complex development project utilizing the underground space of Munrae Neighborhood Park to create a safe and convenient urban environment.
The district plans to install a rainwater storage tank with a capacity of 11,000 tons on the 3rd basement floor and create a public parking lot with 150 spaces on the 1st and 2nd basement floors.
The rainwater storage tank temporarily stores rainwater during heavy rainfall, reducing and minimizing runoff in the target area. It is a key facility for preventing flood damage. Simulation results show that installing the storage tank reduces the flooded area by about 23% in the region.
The Munrae Neighborhood Park area suffered heavy rain damage in 2022, and this is a follow-up measure for disaster prevention.
Although there is an existing public parking lot with 41 spaces in Munrae Neighborhood Park, the area has high parking demand due to nearby apartment complexes and visitors to Munrae Creative Village, a local attraction. Therefore, the district plans to build a new parking lot with 150 spaces on the 1st and 2nd basement floors to improve parking convenience for residents and visitors.
Starting with a feasibility study this year, the project will proceed through central investment review, basic and detailed design, and construction stages, aiming for completion in 2029.
Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, "The complex development of underground space is expected to have a triple effect of preventing flood damage, relieving parking difficulties, and enhancing park usage convenience. We will do our best to minimize residents' inconvenience during construction and ensure smooth progress of the project."
Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, is volunteering to serve meals at a senior citizens' center at the Jungnang Senior Welfare Center on the 21st.
Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, Communicates with Seniors through Meal Serving Volunteer Work
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) participated in a meal-serving volunteer activity for about 500 seniors at the Jungnang Senior Welfare Center's senior cafeteria on the 21st. The event was joined by executives and members of the Veterans Association Women's Group (Chairperson Choi Wi-nam), who shared heartfelt meals with the seniors and practiced community sharing.
This was the 24th meal-serving volunteer activity since the launch of the 8th local government administration. Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi served warm meals and carefully checked on the seniors' health and any inconveniences. After the event, he encouraged and expressed gratitude to the officials and volunteers.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, "Participating in volunteer work for the community and sharing affection with seniors was a precious and meaningful time. We will continue to carefully care for and support seniors for their healthy and happy later years."
Songpa-gu Conducts Comprehensive Survey on Unauthorized Buildings for Retroactive Permits
District Eases Regulations through Retroactive Permits for Unauthorized Buildings... Efforts for Supportive Administration
In January, 654 Buildings Eligible for Permit Applications Identified... Final Notification after Field Survey Planned
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced the full-scale implementation of the 'Retroactive Permit System' for unauthorized buildings that were illegally extended without permission.
The retroactive permit system, promoted by the district since last year, is designed to legalize buildings whose owners are unaware of permit eligibility or whose buildings have become eligible for retroactive permits due to subsequent legal amendments. The district directly identifies buildings eligible for retroactive permits to relieve owners' anxiety and economic burdens by escaping excessive intrusive regulations.
An official said, "Unauthorized building owners have faced many sanctions such as inability to obtain bank collateral loans, restrictions on lease loans, limitations on guarantee insurance subscriptions, tenant business restrictions, and land transaction denials, along with annual enforcement fines. Retroactive permits will alleviate some difficulties for owners hoping to legalize their buildings."
Of course, not all unauthorized buildings are eligible for legalization. Buildings illegally extended in violation of past laws must fully meet conditions such as no longer violating laws due to subsequent legal amendments.
The district aims to identify eligible buildings through a two-stage comprehensive survey and notify owners to proceed with retroactive permit applications. The first written survey has been completed, and the second field survey is underway with cooperation from the Songpa-gu Architects Association.
In October last year, the district began a comprehensive survey to identify retroactive permit candidates. Over four months, it collected data on 8,341 unauthorized buildings in the area and carefully examined floor area ratio, building coverage ratio, and drawings, narrowing down to 654 buildings. The ongoing field survey will thoroughly review height restrictions and related building regulations to finalize eligible buildings and send guidance letters. Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "This measure is part of servant leadership administration to protect residents' property rights trapped in complex regulations. We will continue to move away from administrative convenience and actively support residents' welfare."
Gwanak Job Happiness Corporation CEO Candidate Public Recruitment
Recruiting CEO for Job Happiness Corporation Providing Quality Jobs to Vulnerable Groups
Applications Accepted by Visit or Registered Mail until March 7... Final Candidate Selected through Document and Interview Screening
Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee), dedicated to creating jobs and enhancing residents' welfare, is publicly recruiting a CEO candidate for the 'Gwanak Job Happiness Corporation' scheduled to launch in July.
One CEO will be selected based on vision, expertise, and capability for job creation in Gwanak-gu.
The Executive Recommendation Committee will select the final candidate through document and interview screening, and the district mayor will appoint the CEO. The CEO's term is two years, and compensation follows the corporation's regulations.
Applications are accepted from February 20 to March 7 by visiting in person or sending registered mail. In-person applications are accepted on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays, at the Job Venture Division of Gwanak-gu Office. Registered mail must arrive by 6 p.m. on March 7, and applicants should confirm receipt by phone.
Details and announcements are available on the Gwanak-gu Office website (News → Announcements → Recruitment Notices).
The 'Gwanak Job Happiness Corporation' is the district's first invested institution complementing the limitations of existing public jobs and private companies, starting full operation in July.
It plans to provide long-term, stable, quality public jobs by employing vulnerable groups such as seniors and people with disabilities.
It will also discover various profit-generating projects suited to local conditions and reinvest profits from business operations into job creation, aiming for self-sustainability. Mayor Park Jun-hee said, "Our district has created the most public jobs among Seoul's autonomous districts for five consecutive years, and this corporation will be a core institution for job welfare. We hope many passionate and visionary candidates will apply to lead this institution with pioneering capabilities."
Nowon-gu to Operate Free Shuttle Bus for Public Facilities Starting July
Route Adjustment Committee Scheduled for March after Resident Feedback, Preparations Underway for July Route Opening
Plans to Cover Health Centers, Community Centers, Public Libraries, Cultural, Arts, Education, and Sports Facilities
Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will operate a free shuttle bus for public facilities starting in July.
This aims to eliminate blind spots where residents face transportation difficulties and cannot fully enjoy public administrative services.
Nowon-gu is the fourth largest district in Seoul by area (35.44 km²) and population (about 490,000). Given the large area and population, the district always considers accessibility when implementing projects. The reason for installing the most health centers (4) in Seoul and investing in libraries and sports infrastructure by region is accessibility.
However, public facilities cannot be infinitely increased, nor can village bus routes be added as needed for each new facility, making accessibility blind spots a long-standing issue. Therefore, the district began planning a shuttle bus to circulate among essential public facilities and transport residents free of charge.
After studying other regions' public shuttle bus cases and consulting with local village bus stakeholders, the district enacted the 'Public Facility Shuttle Bus Operation Ordinance' at the end of last year.
The service targets visitors to health centers, community center program participants, users of educational, cultural, artistic, sports facilities, and libraries. Transportation-vulnerable groups such as the disabled, elderly, pregnant women, guardians with infants, and children can use the shuttle bus free of charge regardless of residence. This is expected to greatly improve access to various public services in health, culture, and sports.
The district conducted a seven-day survey starting on the 14th to gather residents' opinions on the shuttle bus name and operation, including route and stops, before finalizing plans.
A transportation administration official said they plan to operate one circular route with over 20 stops using 25-seat buses at intervals of about 20 minutes. The official added, "Various departments are working to expand facilities and provide outreach services by region, and we are devising the best operation plan to contribute in the transportation sector."
The district plans to reflect survey results in the bus operation starting in July. The bus name will be selected through a resident survey from entries that are original, popular, and sustainable. The route will be finalized at the Route Adjustment Committee meeting in March. Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "No one should be excluded from public services due to mobility restrictions. We will improve accessibility with the free shuttle bus so all Nowon residents can enjoy public services."
Dobong-gu to Create Senior Playground in Choansan Neighborhood Park
Target Completion in August This Year with a Budget of 200 Million KRW
Installation of Various Play and Exercise Equipment Tailored for Seniors
Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) will create a playground for seniors in Choansan Neighborhood Park (Changdong San 131 area). The playground will feature play and exercise equipment suitable for seniors' physical conditions.
The district announced it will start the senior playground project this month.
It plans to complete detailed design and construction contract review by May and begin construction in June, aiming for completion in August. The budget of 200 million KRW will be funded by special grants.
The senior playground will include exercise facilities easily accessible to seniors with physical difficulties. Various equipment for stretching, aerobic exercise, and muscle strengthening will be installed.
Rest facilities will also be provided. Unlike regular benches, benches made of soft materials with rounded edges will be installed. Additionally, shaded rest areas protecting seniors from sun, rain, and snow will be created. A district official said, "Besides creating play and exercise facilities for seniors, we plan to design the space minimizing physical barriers so that anyone can safely use it."
Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu said, "We expect this senior playground to improve not only seniors' health but also their quality of life in old age. We will continue to provide generous support for seniors' welfare."
Listening Closely to Seniors' Voices!... Geumcheon-gu Launches 2nd Phase of Field-Centered Age-Friendly City
2025-2029 2nd Phase of Geumcheon-Type Age-Friendly City Development
Reacquires Membership Certification in WHO Age-Friendly City International Network
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) announced that it has been certified as a member of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 'Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC)' and will develop the 2nd phase of the Geumcheon-type age-friendly city until 2029.
An age-friendly city is a community equipped with policies, services, and facilities enabling all generations, including seniors, to live actively and healthily.
The district joined the WHO-managed GNAFCC in October 2021 to proactively respond to aging. In July 2024, it reacquired international certification for its age-friendly city efforts, maintaining membership until 2029.
From this year until 2029, the district plans to expand projects from 62 to 72 under the vision 'Adding Happiness to Old Age, Welfare City Geumcheon,' aiming for ▲ Active and confident old age ▲ Convenient and safe environment ▲ Respectful and inclusive community.
Representative projects include installing 'Pause Chairs' considerate of seniors, supporting Geumcheon-style side dish vouchers 'Together Chan Chan Chan,' and operating free shuttle buses for seniors and disabled persons. New projects tailored to Geumcheon, derived from research, include urban agriculture experience sites linked with dementia relief centers and the Baekgeumnarae proclamation ceremony.
Since 2022, the district has appointed and operated an 'Age-Friendly City Monitoring Group' to collect residents' opinions and promote respect and social integration for seniors.
The monitoring group identifies and proposes field-centered improvement plans in various areas over one year. By 2024, it has proposed 101 suggestions, 85 of which have been implemented as policies.
Now in its 4th term, the monitoring group includes participants from their 20s to 70s, offering multifaceted policies on senior issues. A district official said, "The monitoring group helps establish a rapid response system and directly reflects field voices in policies, which is very helpful."
From 2022 to 2024, the 1st phase of the age-friendly city operated 62 projects aiming for ▲ Safe and freely mobile Geumcheon ▲ Caring and healthy Geumcheon ▲ Growing through participation and contribution ▲ Geumcheon where seniors and all generations live together.
The district produced magnifying sheets for its newsletter and operated 'Smart Senior Education' to reduce digital exclusion among seniors regarding smartphones, computers, and kiosks. It supported senior jobs and leisure activities to expand social participation.
Barrier-free facilities and age-friendly spaces were created throughout the district, and the Geumcheon-style social safety net 'Tongtong Hope Narae Group' operates to care for neighbors. It also established face-to-face and non-face-to-face care services using intelligent networks. Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, "The survey on the perceived effectiveness of age-friendly city policies for seniors aged 65 and over showed an increase from 3.17 in 2021 to 3.46 in 2024 out of 5, proving the effectiveness of the age-friendly city. We will continue to do our best to make Geumcheon a good place to live for all generations."
‘Pet-Friendly No.1’ Mapo-gu Starts Mobile Pet Funeral Service to Ease Worries Even When Pets Pass Away!
‘Visiting Pet Angel’ Service Launches February 20
Mapo Residents Receive 60% Discount on Funeral Service Fees; Free Service for Single Seniors Aged 75+ with Pets
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-soo) signed a business agreement with the funeral company Petmoon in September 2024 and will officially launch Seoul's first mobile pet funeral service, 'Visiting Pet Angel,' starting February 20.
The 'Visiting Pet Angel' service involves a funeral director visiting the requested location with a pet-specific hearse to collect the deceased pet's body and conduct a memorial ceremony. The pet is then cremated using a smokeless and odorless cremator installed in the vehicle, and the ashes are delivered to the owner.
Mapo residents receive a 60% discount on funeral service fees, and single seniors aged 75 or older with pets can use the service free of charge.
As daily life with pets becomes common, there are many pet-related hospitals and shelters, but currently, Seoul has no dedicated pet funeral facilities.
Under current law, pet bodies are classified as waste and must be disposed of in volume-based waste bags or through pet-specific funeral facilities.
Many pet owners are often confused about how to handle their pets' remains upon death. Cases of illegal burial in mountains due to moving to nearby areas for funerals or financial burdens have frequently occurred.
According to the 2023 Korea Pet Report, over 58% of animal remains were illegally dumped or buried without cremation. Mapo-gu introduced the mobile pet funeral service to address these issues.
This service is expected to reduce economic and time burdens on pet owners and resolve environmental problems caused by illegal burial. It is also anticipated to contribute to establishing a proper pet funeral culture. Mayor Park Kang-soo said, "This service opens a new horizon for pet funeral culture. As the No.1 pet-friendly district, Mapo-gu will lead a mature pet culture."
Mapo-gu is also actively promoting various pet welfare projects, including a 2,863㎡ pet camping site in Nanji Hangang Park, the 'Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital' project for vulnerable groups, and support for pet rabies vaccinations.
Check Private Road Information with a Click!... Geumcheon-gu Builds Information System
Expected to Increase Land Use Value and Revitalize Regional Development
Communication Window Connecting Developers and Owners Operated
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) announced that starting on the 24th, it will implement the 'Geumcheon-gu Private Road Communication and Informatization Support' service, allowing easy and convenient access to information on privately owned roads.
Recently, inquiries about finding private road owners related to local land development projects have surged. Especially, it has been difficult to identify owners of private roads left unattended after building permits or land sales, causing inconvenience.
In response, the district built a map-based system on its website providing private road information. Users can view parcel numbers, land category, area, ownership type, and other details at a glance on the map, and download location and attribute data files.
Using QR codes, the system links with Seoul's intelligent map (Smart Map) to instantly check private road information along with aerial photos and street views.
The district also established a communication window connecting developers and private road owners to support smooth regional development. A resident in Doksan-dong said, "While trying to purchase a private road during a development project, I struggled to find the current owner due to 50-year-old ownership information. I was delighted to hear about the new communication window and came immediately."
Residents seeking consultation can visit or call the Geumcheon-gu Real Estate Information Division on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without prior reservation. Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, "This service will protect residents' property rights and increase land use value. We will continue to proactively identify and resolve residents' inconveniences."
The district operates a 'Road Viewing System for Traffic-Disadvantaged Paths' providing 360° virtual reality views of stairs, roads inaccessible to vehicles, and other difficult paths not covered by private map portals. This service is available on the Geumcheon-gu Real Estate Information Plaza's themed map. For details, contact the Real Estate Information Division.
Guro-gu to Support Guro-Style Home Repairs in 2025 with Up to 6 Million KRW
Applications Accepted from March 4 to 28 at the 4th Floor Urban Development Division, Main Building of District Office
Supports Interior and Exterior Repairs of Bathrooms, Kitchens, Bedrooms for Over 20-Year-Old Aged and Low-Rise Houses and Vulnerable Households
Guro-gu is recruiting applicants for the 'Guro-Style Home Repair Support Project.'
This project supports interior and exterior repairs of aged and low-rise houses to reduce repair cost burdens and improve poor residential environments, enhancing residents' quality of life.
Eligible targets are single-family and multi-family houses under four floors with building approval over 20 years old, with a plan to support 30 households. Priority is given to vulnerable households (seniors over 65, basic livelihood security recipients, low-income groups, severely disabled, single-parent multicultural and large families), semi-basement houses, and houses in performance improvement support zones. However, unoccupied houses, pre-construction before target confirmation, and unauthorized buildings are excluded.
Supported items include bathroom repairs, kitchen sink replacement, wallpapering, rooftop waterproofing, insulation, and installation of rainwater and fire safety facilities such as fire alarms and flood barriers.
Repair costs cover 50% of total construction costs (80% for vulnerable households), up to 6 million KRW. Applications are accepted from March 4 to 31 by visiting the Urban Development Division on the 4th floor of the main building with required documents. For details, contact the Urban Development Division or check the Guro-gu Office website.
A Guro-gu official said, "We will strive to provide safer and warmer homes through Guro-style home repair support and hope for active interest and participation from eligible households."
Last year, the district supported 52 households through the Guro-style home repair project, improving residential environments.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
