Jongno District to Designate Tapgol Park as the First Alcohol-Free Zone from 2026
[Herald Economy’s Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno District (district chief Jeong Mun-heon) is set to actively pursue the ‘Tapgol Park Improvement Project’ to preserve the historic and public value of Seoul’s Tapgol Park. This includes the designation of alcohol-free zones and the improvement of protective structures for the Wongaksa Temple ten-story stone pagoda.
On November 20, the district designated the inside and outside of Tapgol Park as the first alcohol-free zone in the district. This measure aims to highlight the symbolic significance of Tapgol Park, where the 1919 March 1st Independence Movement Declaration was read, and to prevent indiscriminate alcohol consumption.
The guidance period is from December 1 until March 31, 2026, and from April 1, 2026, a fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for violations. Possession of an open alcohol bottle or drinking alcohol from a different container will also be subject to penalties.
To effectively promote the alcohol and smoking prohibition zones, Jongno District held a ‘Tapgol with No Alcohol and Tobacco, A Healthier Jongno’ campaign with related agencies, including the Jongno Police Station, on November 28. Participants distributed leaflets around the park and conducted quizzes and events to raise public awareness near the north gate on the harms of drinking and smoking.
The project also involves efforts to preserve the key national heritage site, the ‘Wongaksa Temple ten-story stone pagoda’. On November 26, Jongno District convened a kick-off meeting for a basic design service to enhance the glass protective structure and launched serious efforts to formulate countermeasures.
The Wongaksa Temple ten-story stone pagoda, created in 1467 during the 13th year of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty, is a representative work of Buddhist stone architecture from the Joseon era and was designated as a national treasure in 1962.
The current glass protective structure, installed in December 1999, has been safeguarding the pagoda from acid rain and bird droppings, but concerns over damage have grown due to condensation and poor ventilation inside. Additionally, issues such as reflected light and disharmony with the surrounding landscape have continually hindered the viewing experience.
Therefore, Jongno District, in cooperation with the National Heritage Administration, is preparing a comprehensive improvement plan enhancing both preservation and viewing conditions. The district secured a budget of 100 million won from national and city funds, and with the help of an advisory committee, is considering over four alternatives, including ‘demolition’, ‘improvement’, and ‘relocation of the pagoda’, in their design. Following a final report meeting in February 2026, they will confirm the basic design in March and secure state funding for construction after undergoing review by the National Heritage Administration Committee.
Additionally, the district plans to reinforce the park’s identity by moving and restoring the ‘Tapgol Park west gate’, renovating park fences, and establishing a history memorial hall. Improvements to landscaping and convenience facilities, alongside cracking down on illegal activities, will be implemented to make the park more citizen-friendly.
Jeong Mun-heon, Chief of Jongno District, stated, “Tapgol Park is a symbolic space where the March 1st Declaration of Independence was read, announcing Korea’s sovereignty to the world,” and he expressed his commitment to dramatically improving the management of alcohol- and smoke-free areas and the preservation and viewing environment of the national treasure, while creating an open space that all citizens can comfortably visit.