Yongsan District, Itaewon 'Glocal Commercial District' Makes a Comeback

Number of Visitors Increases by 60,000
Satisfaction Score Reaches 4.75 Out of 5

The 'Itaewon Local Brand Commercial District Revitalization Project,' which Yongsan District in Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) has been promoting for over two years, has entered its final stage and achieved notable results. On the 11th, the district announced that it held a performance sharing session in the main conference room of the district office, where it presented the project outcomes to local merchants, residents, and experts.

As part of the Itaewon Commercial District Revitalization Project, foreigners are showcasing an exciting disco aerobics performance at a cultural and artistic event. Provided by Yongsan District Office.

This project, selected as a 2023 Seoul Metropolitan Government initiative, aimed to revitalize the Itaewon commercial district, which had been experiencing stagnation, and to develop it into a 'glocal' commercial area with global competitiveness. A glocal commercial area refers to a district that leverages its unique local characteristics to achieve global competitiveness.

The core achievement of the project is the development of a commercial district brand that reflects Itaewon's identity. Under the brand 'Welcome All Itaewon,' various cultural and artistic performances, pop-up stores, and community programs were held around Quinnon-gil and Noksapyeong Square, attracting visitors to the area.

The number of domestic visitors increased by about 50,000, from 1.25 million last year to 1.3 million as of November this year. The number of international tourists also surpassed 250,000 by November this year, up from 240,000 last year. Online engagement, such as event-related social media posts, exceeded 300, more than doubling compared to the previous year.

In July last year, the district formed a nonprofit organization called 'Itaewon Governance,' comprising merchants, residents, and artists. The Itaewon Commercial District Revitalization Organization will provide professional capacity-building training for Itaewon Governance members through the end of the year, and from next year, Itaewon Governance will begin full-scale, privately led commercial district revitalization projects.

According to a survey of event participants, satisfaction scored 4.75 out of 5, and 98.9% expressed an intention to revisit. Participants commented, "It was great to discover new stores and a variety of restaurants," and "The daytime atmosphere in Itaewon has become more vibrant."

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan District, stated, "I would like to thank the merchants and local stakeholders who have worked together to overcome difficult times and restore Itaewon's unique value," adding, "We will actively support Itaewon's growth into a globally attractive commercial district representing Seoul, based on private sector resilience and collaborative structures."

Itaewon commercial district brand 'Welcome All Itaewon' BI. Provided by Yongsan District Office.