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Seoul Metropolitan Government has started a business to expand Gwanghwamun Square into a park.

Right now, the road in front of the Sejong Center on the west side of the plaza is going to be turned into a green area that is easy to walk, but some civic groups oppose it, saying that after the mayor of Seoul is elected, the business should be carefully promoted.



This is Yoo Su-hwan. 



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Heavy equipment digs up the concrete floor with a loud noise.



Gwanghwamun Square, which was built between the roads with 10 round trips, has undergone a major renovation in 11 years.



We plan to remove the road to Sejong Center on the west side of the plaza and plant flowers and trees there.



Instead, the road was expanded to five lanes in front of the US Embassy in the east to handle traffic.



[Seo Jeong-hyeop/Seoul Mayor's Authority Act: Solving the problems of Gwanghwamun Plaza, which has lost its identity under the stigma of being the world's largest central division, and adding the elements of a park where citizens can rest at any time...

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Although we haven't nailed the deadline, our final goal is to make the entire Gwanghwamun Square a pedestrian park free from cars.



[Citizens using Hanilchae/Gwanghwamun Square: I think it would be nice to make it a park because I am a little older.

On the other hand, it may be uncomfortable if the road suddenly disappears because you are carrying a car.]



Some civic groups are opposing the need for careful promotion, such as rechecking traffic measures.



[Eun-joo Yoon/Secretary of the Citizens' Alliance for Economic Justice: At this point five months before the next mayor, do not forcefully do this, and there may be demands from various citizens.

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However, the controversy is expected to continue for the time being, as the city of Seoul is in a position that there is no problem as it has gone through more than 300 discussions over four years.



(Video coverage: Seo Jin-ho, Video editing: Park Ki-deok)