District earns top Ministry of Science and ICT rating for fifth consecutive year, securing 2.36 billion won ($1.53 million) for project; 32.5 km of defective overhead lines across five zones in Hapjeong, Yeonnam, Mangwon, Seogyo and Sangam-dong to be overhauled
Mapo-gu has launched its 2026 aerial cable maintenance project, a district-wide effort running through December to remove defective overhead cables that mar the urban streetscape and pose safety risks to residents. District Mayor Park Kang-su is overseeing the initiative.
The project targets disorderly or decommissioned power and telecommunications lines strung around utility poles and buildings, with the aim of creating a cleaner urban environment and improving pedestrian safety.
This year, Mapo-gu earned a "top" rating — the highest grade — for the fifth consecutive year in the aerial cable maintenance evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, securing a total project budget of 2.36 billion won ($1.53 million).
Using those funds, the district conducted neighborhood-level demand surveys and on-site inspections to identify areas most urgently in need of maintenance, which were then designated as this year's project zones.
The five zones selected this year cover World Cup-ro 7-gil in Hapjeong-dong, Donggyo-ro 41-gil in Yeonnam-dong, Bangulnae-ro 5-gil in Mangwon-dong, the Hongdae festival street area in Seogyo-dong, and Sangam Matgil in Sangam-dong.
The scope of work spans 1,287 utility poles in total — 884 Korea Electric Power Corporation poles and 403 telecommunications poles — along a combined length of 32.5 km. Crews will focus on removing disused dead lines and trimming sagging slack lines.
When the project wraps up in December, the district plans to survey residents in the maintenance zones on their satisfaction with the work and incorporate the findings into future zone selection and project planning.
Residents with questions about the aerial cable maintenance work can contact the aerial cable complaint call center for assistance.
Last year, Mapo-gu completed maintenance across six sections — covering Hapjeong-dong, Seogyo-dong, Sangsu-dong, Yeonnam-dong and Yonggang-dong — where crews worked on 1,146 power poles and 351 telecommunications poles along a total length of 60 km, contributing to improved living conditions for residents.
Since 2020, the district has designated a responsible telecommunications carrier for each section to build a systematic and accountable overhead line maintenance framework.
"There may be some inconvenience during the maintenance process, such as temporary traffic restrictions or brief interruptions to telecommunications service," a Mapo-gu official said. "We ask for the understanding and cooperation of residents and business owners as we work to create a safer street environment."
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