Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, center, visits Jungnang District, eastern Seoul, on July 10.YONHAP
When the office lights go out, Seoul wants the cash registers to keep ringing. The city plans to turn nightlife into its next growth engine by expanding late-night dining, tourism, transportation and cultural attractions.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Wednesday that it will appoint a special adviser to oversee nighttime economy policies and establish a task force bringing together relevant departments.
The initiative will coordinate policies in a bid to encourage foreign visitors to spend beyond major tourist destinations while bringing new life to business districts that empty out after work hours.
As part of the plan, the city is considering designating Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung District, central Seoul, the Han River and Seoul Arena, a concert venue scheduled to open next year in Dobong District, northern Seoul, as “nighttime economy special zones.”
Businesses in those designated areas could receive incentives for late-night operations. The city is also considering easing regulations, such as expanding late-night bus services and introducing autonomous buses and taxis.
The city also plans to permit expanded nighttime yajang, or outdoor dining. The initiative aims to bring the growing yajang culture in neighborhoods such as Jongno 3-ga and Euljiro in central Seoul into a formal regulatory framework. Five locations will be selected for pilot operations this year. The city plans to expand the program to 25 locations by 2028.
Tables at Dalmaji Square Barbecue in Euljiro, central Seoul, are filled with diners on April 12.WOO JI-WON
Selected commercial districts will receive up to 2 billion won ($1.34 million) to improve pedestrian infrastructure, upgrade sanitation facilities and strengthen local branding. Districts with strong operating results will be eligible for an additional incentive of up to 500 million won.
The city also plans measures to reduce conflicts with nearby residents. Yajang venues will be required to sign agreements on noise management and operating hours, with restaurants found in violation facing restrictions.
People fill the streets near Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on May 5, Children's Day.NEWS1
Seoul also plans to expand nighttime use of its cultural and tourism infrastructure. The city is considering extending the hours of museums, art galleries and royal palaces. It also plans to introduce nighttime programs at attractions around Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul.
New overnight-style attractions are also under consideration, such as a nighttime sauna at Han River Park and an annual "hibernation contest," which debuted in Seoul City Hall in December of last year and is slated to move to DDP.
The city also plans to strengthen nighttime safety measures, including expanding patrols by Seoul's civilian neighborhood patrol program and community volunteers.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, second from the left, speaks during a senior officials' meeting at Seoul City Hall in Jung District, central Seoul, on July 15.NEWS1
The proposal was discussed at the first regular senior officials' meeting of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's fifth term on Wednesday. Based on the discussion, the city plans to unveil a comprehensive nighttime economy plan early next month.
"The nighttime economy is more than support for neighborhood businesses," Oh said. "It is Seoul's new growth strategy, linking culture, tourism, commerce and transportation into a single ecosystem. We will establish it as a flagship policy that transforms residents' lives and enhances Seoul's competitiveness."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
