Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Seoul Plaza to undergo makeover with more trees, garden
Newly planted trees and movable planters are set up at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Jung Da-hyun
The Seoul Metropolitan Government revealed plans Monday for a major renovation of Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, the first in 21 years.
Drawing inspiration from Madison Square Park in New York, the city plans to transform Seoul Plaza into a garden-like square, providing space for performances, events, relaxation and strolls.
Opened in May 2004, Seoul Plaza has become a popular venue for various events and festivals, attracting both residents and tourists. However, it has long been criticized for lacking shade and resting areas.
In response, the city government plans to enhance the plaza’s greenery by planting six large zelkova trees in addition to the existing 24 pine trees to provide more shaded areas. Around 300 movable planters containing trees, such as Korean maple and rowan, have also been placed around the plaza.
A photo zone will also be set up on one side of the plaza, allowing visitors to take photos with a mirrored view of City Hall in the background.
The plaza's surface will also undergo an eco-friendly transformation. The existing lawn, which has been damaged repeatedly and repaired due to over 320 event days each year, will be replaced with Indian grass, better suited to Seoul's climate. Wood paths will be installed between the grassy areas.
The city anticipates that replanting trees, creating various gardens and installing wood paths will result in an annual carbon reduction of approximately 331.92 tons.
Meanwhile, the city will launch the second phase of the renovation project in the second half of this year. The full renovation of the plaza is scheduled for completion by April next year.
Lee Su-yeon, head of the city government's Garden-City Bureau, said, "We will transform Seoul Plaza into a place where people can enjoy culture, arts and relaxation, not just for events."