Sejongno to become traffic-free on Sept. 23

By Yi Whan-woo

Seoul city said Tuesday that only pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed along Sejong street on Sept. 23 on a trial basis to create a “pedestrian-friendly environment.”

The city will hold a “Grand Festival for Cyclists” on that day and cars will be prohibited along the 550-meter-long strip between Gwanghwamun and the main Sejong street intersection.

The one-day event comes after the municipal government in June announced a plan putting priority on pedestrians over drivers.

Sejong street in Jongno-gu was chosen as it has several cultural and historical attractions around the area such as Gyeongbok Palace and the Sejong Center for Performing Arts. Visitors move back and forth from one place to another on either side of the street that has frequent traffic jams.

Police initially opposed the idea as its officers are mobilized from buses positioned along the street for traffic control and patrolling around the U.S. Embassy and nearby government buildings. The city said its officials and also private security guards hired by the municipal government will help police on the slated festival day.

Currently 30 bus operators run bus lines through the street and they will be required to detour on the day of the event.

Both the city government and police do not anticipate that the measure will cause problems.

“We have maps for the bus detours that provide directions for alternative routes,” a city official said. “Previously drivers followed these whenever we had large-scale festivals or protests in the area, and I’m sure the flow of traffic will be just fine on Sept. 23.”

The city said it will increase the number of “no-traffic days” on the street depending on the results of the festival. The plan is to make the policy effective every weekend across Jongno.

“Our ultimate goal is to form a green zone such as a park on the street and we hope this will create a nice rest area for our citizens,” a city official said.