Dongseoul Terminal to Be Reborn as Transportation Hub... Oh Sehoon: "It Will Become a Seoul Landmark" (Comprehensive) [Real Estate AtoZ]

Oh Sehoon: "Strengthening Transportation Infrastructure ... A 'Wise Development' Example"
Inspection of Aging Facilities ... Discussion of Modernization Timeline and Plans
Construction to Begin Next Year, Completion Targeted for 2031
Temporary Terminal Site Changed from Guui Park to TechnoMart

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon is giving a speech at Dongseoul Terminal in Gwangjin District on the 15th. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon visited Dongseoul Terminal in Gwangjin District and expressed his commitment to transforming it into a major integrated transportation hub and landmark in northern Seoul through modernization. He inspected the aging facilities and discussed the timeline and plans for redevelopment into a multi-purpose complex. The project is gaining momentum as conflicts with residents, such as the selection of a temporary terminal site, are being resolved.

On the 15th, Mayor Oh visited Dongseoul Terminal and stated, "It will be reborn as a 39-story metropolitan transportation hub embracing the Han River, serving as a new landmark for Seoul. Without using taxpayer money, we will improve chronic transportation issues in the surrounding area and renovate aging infrastructure like Gangbyeon Station through public contributions, returning private development gains to citizens. This will become a representative example of 'wise development.'"

He added, "Residents in this area have suffered greatly due to noise and heavy traffic. That is why you have long hoped for prompt redevelopment, and finally, construction will be able to begin next year." On this day, Mayor Oh inspected the old Dongseoul Terminal and nearby facilities from the pedestrian overpass by Gangbyeon Station, then moved to the terminal to receive a briefing on the project.

Dongseoul Terminal has served as a transportation gateway for the northeastern region, handling over 110 routes and more than 1,000 buses daily. However, after 38 years of operation, safety issues stemming from outdated facilities and severe traffic congestion caused by large crowds and buses have become serious problems. Although Kim Gidong, the former head of Gwangjin District, proposed modernization in 2012, the project stalled due to a lack of concrete plans.

Modernization Project Bird's-eye View of Dongseoul Terminal in Gwangjin District. Seoul Metropolitan Government

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government established plans to redevelop Dongseoul Terminal into a multi-purpose complex including transportation, business, retail, and cultural facilities. On May 28, the "9th Urban and Architectural Joint Committee" approved, with modifications, the designation and planning proposal for the district unit plan of the Dongseoul Terminal site. The modernization project aims to begin construction as early as the end of 2026, after completing individual permits and administrative procedures such as traffic impact assessments, architectural reviews, and building permits, with completion targeted for 2031.

The development faced a crisis when residents opposed the use of Guui Park as the site for a temporary terminal, but this issue has also been resolved. As local residents continued to demand the preservation of Guui Park, discussions were held among the district office, private developer Shinsegae Property, and residents. After reviewing alternative locations and consulting with relevant organizations and companies, an agreement was reached with stakeholders such as the TechnoMart management association and transportation operators to use TechnoMart facilities. The plan is to use the above-ground loading area of TechnoMart as a temporary boarding area and underground vacant space as a waiting room, and there are expectations that this will help revitalize TechnoMart as well.

Dongseoul Terminal will be reborn with seven underground and 39 above-ground floors, totaling 363,000 square meters of floor space. All terminal functions, including the passenger terminal and transfer center, will be located underground to minimize traffic congestion and air pollution. The above-ground area will be developed as a space overlooking the Han River. The overall capacity will be increased to more than 120% of the current size, significantly reducing congestion. Commercial, business, and cultural facilities will be organically arranged throughout the complex.

In particular, through the pre-negotiation system, approximately 138 billion won in private development gains resulting from increased floor area ratio will be invested in public facilities for citizens. The pre-negotiation system was introduced to ensure public value in large-scale development projects. Seoul was the first in the country to implement this system in 2009, and it was institutionalized in 2012. Currently, 16 cities and provinces operate the pre-negotiation system.

Additionally, to enhance convenience for citizens, the metropolitan bus stops, which were previously scattered along the roadside, will be relocated underground within Dongseoul Terminal. A new direct ramp connecting Dongseoul Terminal to the Gangbyeonbuk-ro expressway will be built to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution caused by bus movements. A pedestrian deck will be constructed to improve access to the Han River, and further plans include remodeling the exterior of Gangbyeon Station on Subway Line 2, creating a green plaza under the overpass, and upgrading the disaster prevention capabilities of the Guui water retention basin.