Will the Hapjeong-dong Military Base Be Relocated?... First Meeting Held by Mapo-gu, Anti-Corruption Commission, Defense Ministry, and Residents

Mapo-gu, Ministry of National Defense, and Resident Representatives Share Opinions at Meeting Hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
Direct On-Site Inspection of Military Base Facilities in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu

Mapo-gu (District Mayor Park Kangsu) held a four-party meeting at the Mapo-gu Office on May 22, 2025, regarding the relocation of the military base in Hapjeong-dong. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and local residents.

This meeting was a follow-up to Mapo-gu's submission of a petition with 14,272 resident signatures to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on February 4, 2025, urging the relocation of the Hapjeong-dong military base. The Commission organized the meeting to directly hear the positions of Mapo-gu, the Ministry of National Defense, and the resident representatives.

The main topic, "Relocation of the Hapjeong-dong Military Base," was raised as a solution to address the long-standing development stagnation in the area around 450-9 Hapjeong-dong and 12 adjacent parcels, despite the area's prime location near the Han River.

During the meeting, each participant presented their views on the military base relocation. Mapo-gu also clearly expressed the necessity of the relocation and its position, strongly voicing its opinion.

After the meeting, the participants moved to the site of the Hapjeong-dong military base to inspect the facilities in person.

The relocation project for the military base has been effectively stalled since 2018, despite the formation of a local residents' council in Hapjeong-dong in 2009, the submission of resident proposals by Mapo-gu, and consultations with the Ministry of National Defense, as no agreement was reached on the relocation of the military facilities.

In response, Mapo-gu established a public-private task force composed of Mapo-gu officials and residents in September 2024 to ensure that the space, which had been closed off as a security facility, could be returned to the community. Since October 2024, the task force has been actively working toward this goal.

Park Kangsu, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, "The relocation of the Hapjeong-dong military base is more than just moving a facility; it marks the starting point for the development of the surrounding area, which has long been stagnant. We must not let this opportunity end in mere discussion as in the past. Believing this is our last chance, I will continue to pursue close cooperation among the public, private sector, and military."