South Great Gate to get traffic-free zone
Posted : 2017-02-20 14:58
Updated : 2017-02-20 16:54
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| People visit South Great Gate in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Korea Times file |
By Ko Dong-hwan
Korea's first National Treasure is to get a traffic-free
entertainment spot, in response to complaints of poor
accessibility due to heavy traffic.
A 2,500-square-meter area next to South Great Gate,
also known as Namdaemun or Sungnyemun, will become
a mini square for street festivals and a city-designated
photo zone, according to Seoul Metropolitan
Government Sunday.
With decades-old Namdaemun Market within
five minutes' walk, the area will work closely
with the traditional venue, promoting
vendors and food for tourists.
SMG's latest addition to the South Great Gate
area is purportedly in line with the city's ongoing
project called "Seoullo 7017."
This will turn an aged overpass across Seodaemun-gu
and Jung-gu districts into a promenade within this year.
Seoul will select one of designs by five environmental
architects, with construction due to start in the second
half of this year.
