A graphic image of an entertainment complex and a new dock that will be built in Yeouido, central Seoul, as part of the Han River development plan. / Yonhap



By Kim Se-jeong

Yeouido in central Seoul is set to become a major tourist attraction by 2018 with an entertainment complex and a new dock to accommodate commercial ferries.

Amphibious buses and ferries will carry tourists on the river, while K-pop concerts and shopping will be available, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Monday.

It is part of a 400 billion won development project that will transform the 41.5-kilometer Han River into a major tourist destination in Korea. The entire project will be completed by 2030.

According to the plan, the northwestern part of Yeouido between Mapo Bridge and Wonhyo Bridge will house an entertainment complex which will feature authentic Korean culture and media content.

Floating stages on the river will be used for live performances, and footbridges on the southern part of the river will feature souvenir shops and street performances.

The new waterfront will be able to accommodate bigger ferries of up to 700 tons. The current dock is used by smaller river boats. The new dock will be connected to a bus terminal, subway station and bike lanes nearby, making transportation convenient for passengers.

"This will create greater choice for tourists who now mainly visit selected shopping places in Seoul," Minister Choi Kyung-hwan said during a press conference. "This will give residents of Seoul and tourists the opportunity to explore culture and ecology together in the capital."

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said the project will give life to the river that has been underestimated as a tourist attraction. "When the Han River is revived through the project, it will be the second miracle for the Korean economy and a boost to biodiversity in the city."

For biodiversity, wetlands and a small forest will be planted. The southern part of Yeouido is a habitat for a variety of plants, insects, animals and fish, and Bamseom island is also nearby.

The city and the ministry expect the project will boost other tourist destinations in Yeouido's vicinity, such as Noryangjin, the nation's biggest fish market.

They said the project will create 4,000 jobs over the next three years, and the number of visitors to the river will grow from 65 million to 105 million by 2030.

Regarding the Korea Water Resources Corp.'s project to operate a 1,000-ton ferry between Yeouido and Ara Waterway in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, the city government and the ministry said they need further discussions.

Besides Yeouido, six other locations along the river will be included in the entire development project — Sangam, Hapjeong, Hannam, Seongsu, Jamsil and Amsa.