Pohang Songdo Beach Reopens After 18 Years, Expected to Become a Leading East Coast Destination

Targeting a July Opening, 30.4 Billion KRW Invested in Beach Restoration Project
Aiming for Completion by End of June, Pohang Accelerates Creation of Songdo Beach’s New Landmark, Bada City Hall

Pohang City is reopening Songdo Beach after 18 years.

The past appearance of Songdo Beach. Provided by Pohang City

After years of restoration and infrastructure improvements, Songdo, once known as "Myeongsasibli," is now ready to welcome summer visitors again.

Located near Pohang's representative traditional market, Jukdo Market, and the Pohang Canal, Songdo Beach used to attract an average of 120,000 visitors annually. However, due to large-scale reclamation projects in the 1970s, the sandy beach was lost and water quality deteriorated. In 2006, only about 4,000 visitors came, and the beach was closed in 2007.

Since then, the Pohang Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries has invested a total of 30.4 billion KRW to install three underwater breakwaters to prevent sand erosion and to restore the beach by placing 150,000 cubic meters of sand.

As a result, by 2022, a sandy beach 1.3 kilometers long and 50 meters wide was restored. In a 2023 survey by North Gyeongsang Province, the coastal erosion was also found to have returned to normal levels.

In line with these efforts, Pohang City has expanded amenities such as parking lots, waterfront spaces, and diving board landscape lighting, while also focusing on improving water and soil quality.

With these preparations, Songdo Beach is scheduled to be designated as an official beach after a review by the Pohang City Beach Council in July.

The new landmark of the beach, Bada City Hall, is also drawing attention. With a total project cost of 3.3 billion KRW, this building features modern curves and is expected to catch the eyes of beachgoers.

Bird's-eye view of Bada City Hall.

Construction began in December last year and is currently about 85% complete, with final completion scheduled for the end of June.

Pohang City has been pushing the construction forward intensively according to the possible schedule, even during the winter construction suspension period, by receiving detailed construction plans from the contractor to ensure there are no delays in the reopening of Songdo Beach.

Lee Myunghyun, head of the Songdo Beach Merchants Association, said, "The reopening of Songdo Beach, which was once crowded with people, means more than just restoring the beach for residents who have waited a long time. I hope the reopening of Songdo Beach will be a turning point for the recovery of local businesses and revitalization of the regional economy."

Son Jungho, Director of the City’s Oceans and Fisheries Bureau, said, "We will work together with local residents to make Songdo Beach a premium beach so that it can regain its former reputation and become the best beach in the country."