Seoul's Nowon-gu district said it is stepping up management measures at Byeokun Valley on Suraksan to maintain a clean environment as the site draws a rapidly growing number of visitors.
District Mayor Seo Jun-oh visited Byeokun Valley on Wednesday morning to personally inspect visitor conditions and on-site management practices, including cleaning operations and waste collection.
The valley sits just a 10-minute walk from Suraksan Station on subway Line 7, making it one of the most accessible summer retreats in the city — a reputation that has spread quickly by word of mouth. Daily visitors, who numbered around 150 on weekdays and 300 on weekends last year, have surged to as many as 1,500 a day this year.
The sharp rise in visitors has brought a corresponding increase in waste. The district has been deploying additional cleaning and parking management staff since August, stepping up patrols and public guidance, and installing extra waste-sorting stations on a temporary basis during the peak season. However, the rapid influx of visitors in a short period led to concentrated littering in some areas, highlighting the need for stronger on-site management.
In response, Seo issued an emergency directive to relevant departments on Tuesday to reinforce management measures at Byeokun Valley, then visited the site himself on Wednesday. The district's updated plan, to be implemented immediately, covers four areas: deploying additional management personnel to strengthen enforcement and public guidance; shortening waste collection intervals and reorganizing staff routes; expanding and adjusting waste-sorting stations and information facilities; and bolstering the system for responding promptly to complaints.
The district said it will continue monitoring conditions on the ground and visitor trends, adding further measures as needed.
Seo urged relevant departments to ensure visitors can enjoy the valley without inconvenience through the end of summer, noting that large crowds are expected this weekend — which includes the Liberation Day holiday on Saturday — and in the weeks ahead.
The district plans to conduct a comprehensive review of this summer's operations and site conditions, with the aim of putting cleaning, parking and safety management plans in place proactively next year before the peak heat season begins.
"Byeokun Valley on Suraksan is establishing itself as a premier urban summer destination, combining outstanding accessibility and beautiful natural surroundings with the improvements we have made over the years — streamlining the waterway and expanding amenities," Seo said. "As more and more people visit, we will raise our management standards accordingly to create a comfortable environment for both local residents and summer visitors alike."
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