District seeks three special zone designations and fast-tracked grants for Changdong-Sanggye area; K-culture festival tie-in also discussed
Dobong-gu has asked the ministers of culture, sports and tourism and climate, environment and energy for government-level cooperation to ensure the successful opening of Seoul Arena and the broader development of the Changdong-Sanggye area.
The district said it visited the Seoul Arena construction site Wednesday alongside Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young, Climate, Environment and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan, and National Assembly members Kim Jae-seop and Oh Gi-hyeong to review construction progress and discuss the project's future direction.
The site visit included a briefing by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the project's progress, followed by a walkthrough of the construction site. Seoul Arena, under construction with a target opening of June next year, is a large-scale performance and mixed-use cultural facility set to serve as a landmark for northeastern Seoul and a key driver of local economic and tourism growth.
A Seoul Metropolitan Government official said construction was proceeding on schedule and pledged thorough management of the construction timeline and safety inspections to ensure full readiness for the opening.
Culture Minister Choi expressed hope that Seoul Arena would become critical infrastructure for addressing the shortage of large performance venues in South Korea and strengthening K-pop's global competitiveness. Choi also proposed using the Jungnangcheon waterway as part of a citywide festival to be held in conjunction with FANOMENON, an international K-culture festival scheduled at Seoul Arena in December next year.
Dobong-gu District Mayor Kim Dong-wook presented Seoul Arena as the central engine of the district's future and called for the designation of three special zones — a promotion district, a tourism special zone and a regional special zone — in the surrounding area, as well as swift delivery of special grants for the Changdong-Sanggye area that Dobong-gu and Nowon-gu are jointly seeking.
"The Seoul Arena project is Dobong's future and an opportunity for Dobong to transform itself," Kim said. "We will work to bring together people from all walks of life to ensure the successful opening of Seoul Arena and drive the development of Dobong."
Dobong-gu plans to identify local projects to support the successful staging of the FANOMENON-linked festival and to focus its efforts on building a global cultural tourism hub centered on Seoul Arena.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
