Seosunragil Along Jongmyo Wall Extends "Car-Free Street" Hours to 10 p.m. on Weekends

A Nighttime Landmark Popularized by Social Media
Car-Free Hours Extended by Four Hours for Pedestrian Safety and Local Business Revitalization

Jongno-gu District in Seoul has extended the "car-free street" hours on Seosunragil, where the number of nighttime visitors has surged, to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Jongno-gu (headed by District Mayor Chung Moonhun) announced on December 22 that, starting from December 20, it has extended the operating hours of the Seosunragil car-free street by four hours, from the previous 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The district explained that this measure aims to strengthen pedestrian safety and revitalize the local commercial area.

The site of the K-Jewelry Jongno Festival held in the Seosunragil area last October. Provided by Jongno-gu.

Seosunragil, which runs along the wall of Jongmyo Shrine, has recently become a popular destination after its tranquil stone wall scenery was widely publicized through television, YouTube, and other social media platforms, resulting in a sharp increase in visitors. Although the number of visitors and demand for local businesses has grown significantly during nighttime hours, there have been ongoing calls for institutional support to ensure pedestrian safety and boost the local economy, given the narrow road conditions.

In particular, this section has seen a high risk of traffic accidents, as visitors frequently cross the roadway to take photos against the backdrop of the Jongmyo wall, leading to pedestrians and vehicles mixing together.

After gathering feedback from local merchants and residents and holding continuous consultations with the district police station, the district finalized the plan to expand the car-free street following a traffic safety review by the police in November. Prior to the full implementation, the district completed maintenance of traffic safety signs and road markings, and installed mobile barricades and promotional banners to prevent accidents, ensuring all necessary preparations were in place.

Jongno-gu is taking the lead in creating a pedestrian-friendly city by operating car-free streets not only on Seosunragil but also in 13 locations in total, including Insadong-gil and Gwancheoldong Youth Street (Jongno 12-gil).

District Mayor Chung Moonhun stated, "With the extended operating hours, citizens visiting Seosunragil will be able to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere of Jongno more safely and leisurely," adding, "We will continue to pursue tangible administration that creates a pleasant, pedestrian-centered urban environment and invigorates the local economy."