Seoul G3 Committee Inspects Namsan Gondola… "Completion Without Delay"

Inspection Conducted from Yejang Park to the Summit of Namsan

Accessibility Falls Short of Reputation... Long Waits Are the Norm

Key Infrastructure to Boost Competitiveness... Synergy Expected

The Seoul Metropolitan Government inspected the construction site of the Namsan Gondola and discussed ways to create synergy with the area’s commercial zones and cultural content. While an administrative lawsuit that will determine whether the gondola will be built is still ongoing, the city authorities maintain that operating the gondola is essential to improve accessibility.

On the afternoon of August 25, the Special Committee on Balanced Development under the G3 Seoul Plan Planning Committee, which discusses Seoul's future growth strategy, visited the planned site for the Namsan Gondola at Yejang Park and the summit of Namsan to check the progress of the project.

A bird's-eye view of the Namsan Gondola Project promoted by Seoul City. Seoul City

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set its goal for the ninth administration as becoming a “Global Top 3 City (G3)” and is focused on devising policies to strengthen the city’s competitiveness. To this end, a “G3 Planning Committee” consisting of experts from various fields has been formed to discuss future growth strategies.

Attendees at the site inspection included Nam Jin, Chair of the Special Committee on Balanced Development; eight other committee members; representatives from the Seoul Metropolitan Government; and staff from the construction and supervision firms. This was the committee’s second site visit, following an earlier trip to Changdong and Sanggye, the cultural and economic hubs of the northeastern region. The committee members received a briefing on project progress at the onsite office in Yejang Park, toured the planned location for the lower gondola station, and then moved to the summit to inspect the planned upper station and access conditions at the top.

Namsan, one of Seoul’s four major landmarks for night views, is establishing itself as an urban healing destination by connecting the dynamism of Myeongdong with the relaxation spaces of Namsan into one nighttime tourism belt. However, there remains a shortage of transportation options to the summit and a lack of accessible transport for the mobility-impaired.

Last year, nearly 1.7 million people used the Namsan cable car, and given that only two 48-passenger cabins are in operation, it is common for visitors to wait one to two hours on weekends or during peak seasons. Wheelchair and stroller users have to travel approximately 846 meters from Myeongdong Station to the existing cable car platform, crossing seven intersections. Since sightseeing buses were restricted from accessing the Namsan summit in 2021, there have been growing calls for more accessible transport to the top.

The committee members experienced the inconvenience firsthand by walking the steep 350-meter uphill path from the Namsan summit bus stop to the top. They emphasized the urgent need to improve accessibility for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children—groups who face significant barriers. They also agreed that the currently suspended Namsan Gondola project must resume swiftly in order to prevent long-term accessibility inconveniences for both citizens and tourists.

Construction of the Namsan Gondola began in August 2024. The line will link Yejang Park near Myeongdong Station with the Namsan summit over a distance of 832 meters in about three minutes. With 25 cabins each accommodating 10 passengers, the gondola can transport more than 2,000 people per hour, and both wheelchair and stroller users will enjoy easy boarding.

The committee members highlighted that the Namsan Gondola is more than just a tourism facility—it is a core piece of public transport infrastructure that guarantees mobility rights for all citizens, including the mobility-impaired, while enhancing Namsan’s competitiveness as a global tourist attraction. With annual visitors to Namsan reaching 12 million, the mountain continues to attract more tourists thanks to K-content pilgrimage tours and the rising trend of urban hiking, also known as “K-hiking.”

The members stated, “Namsan is poised to become a key destination driving Seoul’s bid to become a ‘Global TOP 3 City.’ Strengthening connections with nearby commercial districts such as Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, Itaewon, and Dongdaemun, and greatly expanding options for longer visitor stays, will unleash Namsan’s nearly limitless potential as a renowned international destination.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to actively coordinate with relevant agencies to build the institutional foundation needed to normalize the gondola project. The city will also expand tourism content for both day and night, aiming to increase visitors’ length of stay. At the summit, a 360-degree observatory offering panoramic views of Seoul by day and night is planned, while Baekbeom Square will offer a “Sensory Camp-nic” experience, a nighttime maple path, and a firefly garden—all part of efforts to make Namsan an urban retreat blending forest scenery and night views.

Nam Jin, Chair of the committee, said, “The Namsan Gondola will serve as a vital means of safe and convenient transportation for all and as public infrastructure that will elevate Seoul’s tourism competitiveness. We will continue to monitor and support the project to ensure the Namsan Gondola meets the expectations of our citizens.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.