Inspection covers stretch from Tojeong interchange to Mapo terminus interchange
Lawmaker proposes bridge lighting, landmark installation along Han River
Han Ki-young, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member on the Housing and Space Committee representing Mapo District 2 for the Democratic Party of Korea, conducted an on-site inspection of the Mapo Han River waterfront to assess conditions for nighttime lighting and pedestrian environment improvements.
Han visited the riverfront stretch running from the Tojeong interchange in Yonggang-dong, Mapo-gu, to the Mapo terminus interchange on Thursday, reviewing the state of facilities and gathering input from residents. Five people attended the inspection, including Im Jong-hyeon, the Seoul Metropolitan Government's urban vitality director, along with local residents and business representatives.
The stretch falls within the scope of the city's master plan to develop urban-space connection hubs along the northwestern Han River corridor. Participants noted, however, that the Gangbyeonbuk-ro expressway and riverside embankment have cut the area off from the city center, and a shortage of rest areas and amenities has left the space feeling more like a thoroughfare than a destination.
Inadequate nighttime lighting was cited as a source of pedestrian unease, while large bridge piers were identified as blocking views. The Tojeong interchange, which offers sightlines toward Yeouido and the Han River, was also flagged as underutilized, with little beyond a viewing deck to draw visitors.
Han proposed installing decorative lighting on the bridge piers to improve both nighttime safety and the city's visual appeal, and introducing a landmark installation — similar to the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on Banpo Bridge — to transform the waterfront into a destination that draws residents and visitors alike.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it plans to review the on-site feedback on nighttime lighting, pedestrian safety and the expansion of rest facilities, and incorporate the findings into its master plan.
"With lighting and design, the bridge piers themselves can become a defining visual asset unique to the Mapo waterfront," Han said. "I will make sure the voices heard on the ground are faithfully reflected in this plan, and that the most urgent improvements — starting with nighttime lighting — are addressed first, so residents can feel the difference in their daily lives."
7toy7@heraldcorp.com
