Crosswalk at Cheonggyecheon 6-ga intersection opens after 20 years of resident demands

An above-ground crosswalk has opened at the Cheonggyecheon 6-ga intersection in Seoul, fulfilling a demand residents had pressed for 20 years. A new crosswalk is also set to open on the north side of the Seoul Station intersection by the end of this month, easing the inconvenience that had forced pedestrians to detour through underground passages.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday the crosswalk expansions along the Cheonggyecheon and Seoul Station areas are part of its "Walking-Friendly Seoul" policy, aimed at reconnecting severed pedestrian routes.

The city completed installation of the Cheonggyecheon 6-ga crosswalk last month, ending a push that began in 2006 when nearby residents first demanded an above-ground crossing. Progress had long been stalled by concerns over the impact on underground commercial districts and the need to protect nearby cultural heritage sites. The city, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the Seoul Facilities Corporation and three local merchants' associations eventually reached an agreement in December 2023 through mediation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

The crosswalk was installed at the southernmost point of Ogansugyo Bridge, allowing pedestrians to cross the eight-to-ten-lane Jangchungdan-ro either above ground or through the existing underground passage. The absence of a crosswalk had previously led to frequent and dangerous jaywalking at the site. The new crossing is also expected to improve mobility for people with disabilities who cannot use stairs, and to enhance access to the Cheonggyecheon and Dongdaemun areas.

The Mugyo-dong intersection near Cheonggyecheon Plaza — on the north and south sides of Mojeon Bridge — draws heavy foot traffic from tourists and office workers alike, with pedestrian flows peaking at lunch and after work. The spot sits at the convergence of east-west movement along Cheonggyecheon and north-south movement along Mugyo-ro, and is flanked by office and commercial buildings.

Taking those conditions into account, the city installed a diagonal crosswalk at the intersection. Pedestrians can now cross directly to the opposite corner in a single movement rather than crossing twice, cutting the total walking distance.

The city is also improving pedestrian routes around Seoul Station, a hub for rail, bus and taxi services. It plans to add a crosswalk above the underground passage in front of the Seoul Station post office, on the north side of the Seoul Station intersection, creating an above-ground walking link between Sungnyemun Gate and Seoul Station.

Alongside the new crosswalk, the city is also reorganizing the lane configuration connecting Tongil-ro to Seoul Station. Construction is underway with a target opening by the end of this month.

Once the crosswalk opens, the walking distance through the underground passage will drop from 180 meters to 110 meters — a reduction of 70 meters. It will eliminate the need to climb stairs or take the underground detour, letting pedestrians walk above ground from Seoul Station to the surrounding city center.

The city said it will continue to identify locations where additional crosswalks are needed by assessing pedestrian demand and traffic conditions in each area. "Reducing the inconvenience of detours and stair climbing to cross a street is the starting point for improving the walking environment," said Yeo Jang-gwon, Seoul's transportation director. "We will make Seoul a city where everyone can walk safely and conveniently."