People visit South Great Gate in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea's first National Treasure is to get a traffic-free entertainment spot, in response to complaints of poor accessibility due to heavy traffic.

A 2,500-square-meter area next to South Great Gate, also known as Namdaemun or Sungnyemun, will become a mini square for street festivals and a city-designated photo zone, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government Sunday.

With decades-old Namdaemun Market within five minutes' walk, the area will work closely with the traditional venue, promoting vendors and food for tourists.

SMG's latest addition to the South Great Gate area is purportedly in line with the city's ongoing renovation project called "Seoullo 7017."

This will turn an aged overpass across Seodaemun-gu and Jung-gu districts into a promenade within this year.

Seoul will select one of designs by five environmental architects, with construction due to start in the second half of this year.