Controversy Over Park Land Change Next to JYP Headquarters... Seoul City Refutes Yoo Hyunjoon’s Claims

"Goduk-Gangil Park Land Adjustment and Yongsan Park Development Are Completely Different Projects"

"Claims That JYP Was Blindsided by SH Are Inappropriate"

Regarding the comments made by Professor Yoo Hyun-joon from Hongik University, who compared the change in park land use in the Goduk-Gangil district of Gangdong-gu, Seoul to the development of residential housing within Yongsan Park, the Seoul Metropolitan Government refuted his claim on October 1, stating, "The two projects are completely different in terms of legal grounds, project objectives, and the legal status of the parks, and thus cannot be compared using the same criteria."

Seoul City Hall CI. The Asia Business Daily DB

Through a statement released on October 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government clarified, "The adjustment of park land in the Goduk-Gangil district cannot be compared using the same criteria as the development of Yongsan Park."

In 2023, JYP acquired a 10,675 square meter site designated for distribution and sales facilities in the Goduk-dong area for approximately 75.5 billion won to construct its new headquarters. Subsequently, the park land located 20 meters away from the planned headquarters site was redesignated as self-sustaining support facilities land (self-sustaining facilities land). Self-sustaining facilities sites are intended for attracting corporate, work, and research facilities to secure local jobs and an economic base within the region. As a result of this change, it became possible to construct a high-rise building on the site in the future.

Last month, Professor Yoo, who is responsible for designing the new JYP Entertainment headquarters, criticized the change in park land use in the Goduk-Gangil district on his YouTube channel, saying, "They (SH) changed the park into commercial land to raise the funds they needed immediately," adding, "This is no different from eliminating Yongsan Park and building houses there."

In response to Professor Yoo’s claims, the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, "Yongsan Park is designated as an area where the entire main site shall be established as a park under the Special Act on the Establishment of Yongsan Park." Under current law, it is also prohibited to change the usage or to sell, transfer, or dispose of it for purposes other than a park.

On the other hand, the adjustment of park land in Goduk-Gangil district was taken as a measure to fulfill the obligation to install school facilities. Under the Special Act on Securing School Sites and Other Related Matters, parks and green spaces can be reduced within 1% of the total development area. The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that, based on this, it adjusted the park land through discussions with SH and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, which are the project implementers.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also noted, "The sales announcement dated September 4, 2023, clearly stated that the land use plan for the surrounding areas could change," and "the designated park land in question was changed to self-sustaining facilities land as of October 24, 2025."

In addition, the city stated, "The construction permit for the new JYP headquarters was granted six months later, on April 15, 2026," and argued, "It is not appropriate to claim that JYP was blindsided by SH."

A Seoul Metropolitan Government official stated, "We are continuously striving to support the construction of the new JYP headquarters," adding, "We will continue discussions with the central government to enhance citizens’ residential, educational, and living environments."

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