The blueprint to transform the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, around Seoul Station into a future hub for knowledge and cultural exchange has been unveiled. The Gyeongbu Line railway, which caused pedestrian disconnection, will be moved underground, and the vacated space will host new facilities for transportation, innovation, and cultural hubs.
On the morning of December 12, Seoul city held a groundbreaking ceremony for the ‘Seoul Station North Area Redevelopment Project’ and announced the future vision for the Seoul Station area. Mayor Oh Se-hoon articulated the vision of a dramatic transformation around Seoul Station, preparing for a 100-year change with the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line railway as the core space.
Earlier this year, the city disclosed plans for urban renewal to bolster the competitiveness of areas like the southwestern and northern districts of Seoul. In October, it also introduced plans to underground all 67.6 kilometers of Seoul’s above-ground railways and create a ‘new economic core’ blending vast green space with job, residential, and entertainment areas. The city has identified the Seoul Station area as a key space to realize these plans and announced this vision as construction begins.
The development of the Seoul Station North Area involves building an international cultural complex on underutilized railway land (approximately 30,000㎡), including the first exhibition hall in the northern district capable of accommodating over 2,000 people. Planned for completion in 2029, the project aims to introduce facilities like a 39-story international convention center, hotel, and business and retail spaces leading the downtown (MICE) industry.
To facilitate development and public contributions, the city employed a pre-negotiation system for urban planning changes. Public contributions totaling 338.4 billion won will be invested in strengthening public infrastructure around Seoul Station, guiding balanced development, and renovating neglected areas. When the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line is completed, the Seoul Station area is expected to be reborn as a center of transportation and culture.
The vision presented by the city for the Seoul Station area on this occasion is a ‘global future platform.’ It signifies a leap from a transportation-centered area to becoming a key space in Korea for future knowledge and cultural exchange. To realize this vision, the city has set three goals: a platform for transportation, a platform for innovation, and a platform for culture.
Firstly, the city plans to significantly overhaul and simplify the complex and difficult transfer systems that have been inconvenient for citizens, thereby realizing the transportation platform. A large underground space secured by the undergrounding of railroads will be used to set up an integrated transfer center, with plans to establish efficient and convenient transfer systems. Discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport will continue on measures to considerably reduce transfer distances and times among all transportation modes.
In addition, an uninterrupted linear park connecting downtown to the Hangang River will be created as part of implementing the innovation platform. This park will organically link with business spaces, landmark towers, MICE, hotels, commercial and residential areas, and underground transportation facilities, serving as a vital urban hub active 24 hours.
To establish the cultural platform, an emphasis is placed on preserving the history and symbolism of ‘Culture Station 284 (the old Seoul Station building),’ a national heritage (historic site). With a walking and green network setup, adjacent areas such as Seoul Station Plaza and Namsan will be connected, transforming the square at the front of the station into a wide green space facilitating various activities and exchanges.
The city will also share overseas complex development examples and actively incorporate citizen opinions in future plans. During the process of detailing the plans, diverse opinions and ideas will be considered and reflected. From June to September this year, the city gathered ideas and feedback on spatial design around Seoul Station from citizens and experts, who expressed hopes for the area to become an open green space conducive to walking and transport transfers.
Development in the Seoul Station area will commence with transforming the station plaza into a citizen space and progress step by step. After the railway is moved underground in 2033, upper-level development at Seoul Station will proceed, aiming for the area to become a representative future platform for Korea by 2046.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, “The development of the Seoul Station North Area is significant as the start of urban renewal, enhancing the status and reshaping the space of Seoul as a national central station and international gateway.” He added, “I look forward to the day when ‘the heart of the capital, Seoul Station area,’ connecting the past and future of Seoul and the world to Seoul, will dynamically leap forward again.”