[Exclusive] 1.1 km 'Skytrail' Pedestrian Bridge in Yongsan International Business District Completely Revised

Notice of Public Inspection for Urban Development Plan Revision
Connection of Business Complex Zone Deemed Unfeasible...
Mandatory Installation Only on Selected Parcels
Reduction of District Area and Increase in Larger Officetel Units

With the revision of the development plan for the Yongsan International Business District, the plan to construct a 1.1 km Skytrail at the 45-story height of the business complex zone has been completely changed. Taking feasibility into account, the plan has shifted from connecting buildings to requiring mandatory installation only on certain parcels. Although connecting the Skytrail between buildings was an ambitious plan of Mayor Oh Sehoon, it now appears that the Skytrail will be operated as an observation facility installed only on some buildings within the Yongsan International Business District.

A rendering of the Skytrail to be installed at the 45-story height of the business complex zone in the initial development plan of Yongsan International Business District. Provided by Seoul City

Abandonment of Skytrail Connection, Partial Installation on Selected Parcels Only

On May 8, Yongsan District announced the public inspection of the "Designation (Change) of Urban Development Zone and Change (Draft) of Development Plan for Yongsan International Business District." According to the announcement, the plan to install the Skytrail across all parcels of the business complex zone (B) and connect them as pedestrian bridges has been omitted. Mayor Oh Sehoon had previously stated his intention to install an aerial pedestrian bridge at the 45-story height of the Yongsan International Business District, similar to the Skybridge on the 50th floor of Singapore's public housing, The Pinnacle@Duxton, to provide views of the Han River and the city center.

The Skytrail is now planned to be installed only on one parcel in the international business zone (A1) and on selected parcels (B3, B5~7, B9) in the business complex zone. Even among these, installation on parcels B5 to B7 is only recommended, meaning developers can decide whether to install it or not.

Seoul City explained that this decision took into account the fact that the sales of all 18 parcels would not occur at once, the development timing would differ by parcel, and the practicality of the plan as well as the distances between buildings would vary. It also considered that many developers were hesitant about the burden of connecting the Skytrail between buildings.

A city official stated, "We made the installation of the Skytrail mandatory for parcels A1, B3, and B9. The original plan was to connect the entire B zone, but connecting the Skytrail between parcels with different owners presents practical difficulties," and added, "We have set up a floor area ratio system considering incentives, and we do not expect significant issues with business feasibility."

Exclusion of Some Land Parcels for Railway Underground Project

A bird's-eye view of Yongsan International Business District as seen from the Han River. Provided by Seoul City

The site owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport behind Yongsan Station has been removed from the development plan. The total area was reduced by 38,502 square meters, from the original 494,601 square meters to 456,609 square meters. The Ministry decided to use the site for the railway underground project, and the area was excluded from the development zone on the premise of a land exchange. Due to this change, the area of the international business zone will decrease by 5,257 square meters, and the business complex zone will decrease by 26,361 square meters. A city official explained, "Some of the land owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport needs to be used for the railway underground project, so it was excluded from the zone, but we will proceed with development to ensure consistency."

The number of residential units to be supplied has also decreased compared to the original plan. While the initial plan was to supply 6,000 units (3,500 apartments and 2,500 officetels), the revised plan will supply 5,350 units. Of these, 3,500 will be apartments. Within the business support zone, 2,647 units under 85 square meters will be supplied. There will be 1,850 officetel units and 875 rental housing units. Previously, the plan was to supply 2,500 officetel units under 85 square meters, but now the proportion of larger units has increased. In the business complex zone, 1,850 officetel units will be provided, of which 939 will be larger than 85 square meters.

Three-Dimensional Parks to Be Built on Gangbyeonbuk-ro and Other Areas

The park originally planned as a "cover park" has been renamed as a "cultural park." Additionally, it will be developed as a three-dimensional park, which is a park built on artificial ground above private land or buildings. The two parks that were initially planned as cover parks above the Yongsan Station railway and Gangbyeonbuk-ro will still serve the same function of connecting sections separated by roads. However, to increase the feasibility of the plan, they will now be constructed as three-dimensional parks. A city official explained, "If we build a cover park, it creates underground space, so we adjusted the plan to reduce such spaces," and added, "Since part of the park occupies the Han River, we have shared the draft plan with the Han River Authority, and full-scale consultations are still pending."

Once the public inspection is completed, the city will proceed with consultations with Seoul City and review by the Urban Planning Committee, aiming to announce the implementation plan approval in October. This will be followed by a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of the year and the commencement of infrastructure works such as road improvements. Once infrastructure construction begins and land sales start, the infrastructure is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Companies and residents are expected to move in around 2030.

The Yongsan International Business District is a development project to create a three-dimensional city where business, residential, and leisure functions are integrated on the site of the Yongsan Station railway maintenance depot. The project will include landmark buildings up to 100 stories high with a maximum floor area ratio of 1,700%. The district is divided into the "business complex zone," which will house prime offices, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, and hotels; the "business complex zone" for new industry workspaces; and the "business support zone" for residential, educational, and cultural support facilities.