Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

South korea is stepping forward to further developments on Han River by building a floating office, hotels buildings and create water sports facilities by 20230 announced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday April 24.

Seoul’s Great Han River Project that was first unveiled in March 2023, seeks to enhance the river's use, improve the quality of life for its visitors, and develop infrastructure to broaden the range of activities available along the river planning to host over 10 million visitors, the city government said Wednesday.

A total of 236.6 billion won from the city budget, along with private funding of 313.5 billion won, will be invested in the project targeting around 900,000 visitors annually.

Accord Han River, 319-mile (514-km) length, 200 miles (320 km) has been a valuable river transportation route since ancient times, particularly during the Joseon (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910) located at the northern South Korea, rising in the western slopes of the Taebaek-sanmaek (mountains) and flowing generally westward across the peninsula through the provinces of Gangwon, Gyeonggi, and North Chungcheong and through the city of Seoul to the Yellow Sea.

According to the government’s plan, the floating office and hotel will be constructed for tourist attraction with VIP accommodation, leisure & convention facilities, boat transportation and boat tour services to its guests plans to begin construction in 2026.

The “floating food zone” is a part of government plan that will facilitate the visitors to taste different cuisines from around the world with a beautiful visual of the Han River along with enjoying the musical performances as per Great Han River’s Project. The “floating food zone” will be able to hold up to 2,400 visitors at once with 15 to 20 food stalls plans to begin construction in 2026.

On Wednesday, the Seoul city government during the press conference said, “it plans to make the Han River a center for leisure activities by increasing access to water sports on the Han River, establishing a cable-based water ski Park on the Han River. It also added that the wind-surfing ground near Ttukseom Hangang Park in eastern Seoul will no longer be restricted to the members.”

Seoul great Han River plan also include boat parades, riverside movie events and other riverside leisure programs as part of its annual Hangang River Festival which takes place throughout all four seasons of the year.

Additionally, marina facilities will be constructed at Jamsil and Ichon areas of the Han River located  in southeastern and northwestern Seoul, created to be able to berth up to 1,000 mid-to large boats by 2026. 

According to a city government official, the Ichon marina will also be equipped with a floating swimming pool, an observation platform and other leisure facilities when it opens.

In October this year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to launch a river bus service to act as a new form of public transportation. A wharf will also be created in the same period on the Mapo Bridge to facilitate cruise ferry operations.

Seoul is also planning to launch a river terminal known as the “Seoul Port” in Yeouido which will host passenger ferries smaller than 5,000 tons operating along the route linking the Han River to the West Sea.

The Seoul city project would generate economic benefits of up to 925.6 billion won and up to new 6,800 job

facilities.

Oh Se-hoon, Seoul city Mayor said on Wednesday, "This project will transform the Han River into a space where citizens can enjoy their everyday lives," 

 "The Han River will be turned into an everyday space for citizens, the center of leisure and the hub of development." Mayor Oh added.