Seoul's Han River and tributaries to get a major facelift

Social Affairs

Published: 09 Mar. 2023, 18:43

Seoul's Han River and tributaries to get a major facelift

Gondola lifts were announced as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s latest plan to renovate the Han River. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Han River will get a major makeover as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Thursday pledged to carry out 55 riverside projects aimed at creating more leisure space in the capital, including a pedestrian bridge and gondola lifts.

Other projects will include more swimming pools, observatory decks, camping sites, floating stages and the world’s second-largest Ferris wheel, tentatively called the Seoul Ring.

Collectively known as the Great Sunset Han River initiative, Oh said he hopes to resume “unfinished work” from his Han River Renaissance Project, when he first tried to carry out renovation work around the Han River during his first go around as mayor more than 10 years ago.

“We’re going to create a vibrant urban space that combines residential, business, commercial and cultural functions,” Oh said during a Thursday press briefing at City Hall.

The biggest difference between his two Han River schemes, Oh said, is that the latest one will embrace the river’s numerous tributaries around the city, allowing all of the 25 districts in the capital to enjoy the river’s transformation.

Exactly where the gondola lifts will be installed has yet to be decided, Seoul Metropolitan Government said, but one strong candidate is a route connecting Seoul Olympic Stadium in Jamsil, southern Seoul, with Ttukseom Park in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul.

While it currently takes about 10 minutes to get from Seoul Olympic Stadium to Ttukseom Park by car depending on traffic, the city government said taking a gondola lift is expected to reduce that travel time by nearly half, given the vehicles move at about 4 to 5 meters per second (8.95 to 11.18 miles per hour).

The lifts could be installed as high up as 80 meters (262 feet) above the Han River, the city said, offering a sprawling view of the capital. The project will likely begin in 2026 and finish by 2030.

Jamsu Bridge, which currently crosses the Han River and connects the districts of Yongsan and Seocho, will be fully converted into a pedestrian bridge by 2026, with the transformation starting in 2025.

Jamsu Bridge will be transformed into a pedestrian bridge by 2026. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Renovations on the so-called Sunset Bridge will be carried out in two stages, the city said. Step one will remove vehicles from Jamsu Bridge, while step two will build an aquatic botanical garden and floating stage linked to the bridge. There will also be an area set aside on the bridge to be used as an outdoor movie theater.

Smaller bridges and observatory decks will also be installed on the Han River to enable visitors to enjoy the river up-close, Oh said, while showing reporters images of Denmark’s Infinite Bridge and Russia’s Floating Bridge.

The Infinite Bridge is positioned half at sea and half on the beach. The Floating Bridge is a V-shaped structure that stands over the Moscow River.

Most projects in the Great Sunset Han River initiative will be covered by investments from the private sector, Oh explained, saying he expects many companies to show an interest in participating.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]