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July 25, 2009
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Seoulites, who have seen construction work for Gwanghwamun Square under way in the middle of the Sejongno, or Sejong Boulevard, for more than a year, are about to get a payoff. The project that has been incurring wrath rather than compliments for causing massive traffic congestion is finally set to have its veil lifted on Aug. 1. Although dozens of signboards around the construction area have shown that “Gwanghwamun Square” was being built, no taxi driver passing by the spot - interviewed periodically over the past year - could answer exactly what the new square was for. “I just can’t understand why they have blocked a major road and forced the creation of a traffic jam,” grumbled a taxi driver on Monday on way to the Gwanghwamun Government Complex. Gwanghwamun Square is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s urban rehabilitation program. Occupying three lanes on each side of the 16-lane road, the square will span across an area 34 meters wide and 740 meters long. The 19,084-square-meter square will have a fountain, two waterways, an underground walkway with various convenience facilities and a bronze statue that could become a landmark, like the Champs-Elysees in Paris, according to the city government. Since the number of lanes has been reduced from 16 to 10, a traffic jam leading from the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin up to the front gate of the ancient Gyeongbok Palace has intensified over the past months, especially during rush hour. “We hope car drivers passing by Sejongno will understand some of the traffic inconvenience,” said Lee Jin-yong, an official in charge of the construction project at the city government. “We believe most pedestrians will be pleased with the improved situation in the central Seoul area.” The city government says the 600-year history of the capital city will be brought to life with the square. It will have a statue of King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, at its center. One of two one-meter-wide waterways will have 617 stone plates inscribed with major historic events from 1392 to 2008. The other waterway will be left for future events. Covered by bulletproof glass that is six centimeters thick, the waterways will lead all the way up to nearby Cheonggye Stream, according to the city. The underground park, linking the Gwanghwamun subway station with the square, will have a nursing room, toilets and some exhibition areas. Seoul Major Oh Se-hoon told the Korean media earlier that it would have been great if the square could be made car-free to favor pedestrians, just as New York City’s Times Square was in late May. But “it seems more time is required to see that happen” as there are lingering concerns over frequent demonstrations, he added. By Seo Ji-eun [spring@joongang.co.kr] |
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