Seoul Arena, set to welcome 28,000, due for completion next June... Choi Hwi-young: “Will see to policy support”

[Financial News] Construction of Seoul Arena in Chang-dong, Dobong District, Seoul, is 81% complete, with its first performance targeted for June next year. The venue, a dedicated popular music facility with capacity for up to 28,000 people, is being built to host concerts. Along with completing the facility, preparations for audience transportation and accommodation and crowd-safety measures have been identified as key tasks ahead of its opening.
Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the site on the afternoon of the 28th, received a briefing from the Seoul Metropolitan Government on construction progress and opening preparations, and toured the venue. Choi said he would ensure policy support so that attending performances could help boost the local economy and provide an opportunity to experience K-culture. Kim Seong-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment; lawmakers Oh Gi-hyeong and Kim Jae-seop; and Kim Dong-wook, head of Dobong District, and Seo Jun-oh, head of Nowon District, were also present.■ Exterior finishing underway... Flexible stage and dedicated facilities being installedAccording to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the arena, mid-sized performance venue, and popular music support facility are at the exterior finishing stage. A city official said, “Construction will be completed in May next year, and the first performance will begin in June.”
The main venue has about 18,000 seats and can accommodate up to 28,000 people, including standing audience members. The stage can be installed in the center or repositioned to the east, west, north or south. A mid-sized venue with 2,000 seats is also being built.
During an inspection of the interior that day, officials presented structures for sound and lighting effects as well as stage equipment. Artists waiting on B1 will be able to take a lift up to the stage, and the venue is designed to allow trucks to drive inside to install equipment. The fourth floor will have 59 room-style viewing spaces. A site official said interior finishing and stage-related construction remained to be completed.
Choi expressed hopes for the Seoul Arena project, citing the shortage of performance venues in South Korea. Referring to the boost to the local economy from an influx of concertgoers and the opportunity to experience K-culture, he called it “a wonderful cultural space where people can experience all aspects of everyday life in Korea.” Seoul Arena is also scheduled to serve as the main venue for the K-culture festival “Paenomeon” next December.■ Temporary parking under consideration... Accommodation and links with local businesses among outstanding tasksAnother key part of opening preparations is ensuring convenient transportation and places for audiences to stay. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering using the now-closed Chang-dong Vehicle Depot to provide a temporary parking lot with space for 70 large buses and about 1,500 passenger cars. During the briefing, Choi asked where the nearest subway station was and whether the venue could be reached on foot from Nowon Station, among other questions, to check on transport access.
Plans are also underway to improve pedestrian access, including the “Changdong Culture Link” connecting Changdong Station and the venue, and a deck along the Hongjecheon waterfront. Construction of a combined pedestrian-and-vehicle bridge and a pedestrian bridge over the Hongjecheon, linking Chang-dong and Sanggye, is in its final stage. A viewing deck connecting the venue and the Hongjecheon is also planned.
Since September, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Dobong District, Nowon District, and Seoul Arena have been operating an administrative consultative body to discuss transportation and crowd-safety measures.
Plans are also underway to set up stores in unused space at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and link them with local festivals, so visitors can spend time and money in the surrounding area before and after performances.
Kim Dong-wook, head of Dobong District, called for regulatory improvements related to accommodation and support facilities, as well as budget support for local infrastructure projects worth about 15 billion won. He warned that if securing the budget is delayed, “the project will inevitably be delayed.” Seo Jun-oh, head of Nowon District, also said they would work on improving streets around the venue and promoting culture.
Choi proposed working with the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange to revitalize the area around the venue in connection with the “Paenomeon” festival, so foreign tourists and K-pop fans could enjoy it. Referring also to policy support and regional designation, he said, “I’ll take an active interest and make sure to follow up.”
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