About 177 businesses in shopping streets and alley markets near Seokgye Station are eligible; each can receive up to 3 million won (about $1,990) to replace aging and illegal signs with LED signage.
Seoul's Nowon District has launched a sign improvement project near Seokgye Station, offering up to 3 million won (about $1,990) per business to replace aging and illegal signage with energy-efficient LED signs.
[The Herald Business = Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] Seoul's Nowon District, led by District Mayor Oh Seung-rok, has launched a sign improvement project aimed at revitalizing the local economy by replacing aging signage near Seokgye Station.
The project covers 39 buildings housing approximately 177 businesses in shopping streets and alley markets around the station. The area is a busy transit-oriented area, but the need for cleanup has consistently been raised due to a mix of aging signs and illegal advertisements.
The district will invest 659 million won (about $437,000) from the outdoor advertising development fund to complete the project by the end of this year. Sign designs will reflect each business's individual character while harmonizing with the surrounding streetscape.
Key components include removing illegal and aging signs and replacing them with energy-efficient LED signage, developing and installing custom sign designs tailored to each business, improving window-based advertisements, and renovating facades on aging buildings to enhance the overall streetscape.
Through the LED sign replacement, the district aims to reduce light pollution at night while improving the street environment and pedestrian experience.
The project is driven by voluntary participation from local merchants. To ensure smooth implementation, the district has formed a residents' sign improvement committee — chaired by An Sam-sun — made up of business owners in the target area.
The district held an in-person signing ceremony on May 20 at the Wolgye Senior Welfare Center to formally launch the initiative. The residents' committee will lead key procedures, including the selection of sign contractors, and will manage the project autonomously.
Following the ceremony, the district immediately began accepting proposals and conducting bidding to select sign contractors. Contracts are to be finalized by the end of June, after which design work and sign production and installation will begin in earnest.
Nowon District has consistently carried out streetscape improvement projects across major commercial areas beyond the Seokgye Station vicinity. A sign improvement project in the Gongreung-dong area from 2022 to 2024 replaced aging signs at 153 businesses with LED signage and created a more pedestrian-friendly street environment. Last year, the district undertook a large-scale sign renovation targeting 142 shops along Nowon Culture Street, the district's main commercial strip, further strengthening the city's brand image.
"We are continuously improving the appearance of every corner of Nowon District to create a pleasant street environment and enhance the city's brand image," District Mayor Oh said. "I hope that, with residents' active participation, the area around Seokgye Station will be transformed into a vibrant and welcoming street."
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