The southwestern section of Bukaksan in Seoul, which has been closed to the public since the late 1960s, will open to citizens on the 17th.
This marks the complete opening of the Bukaksan trail. The Presidential Security Service announced that the last remaining closed section, a 1.32 km trail towards Cheongun-dong, will be fully opened starting at 9 a.m. on the 17th. This area has been restricted to the public for approximately 58 years.
The closure of the southwestern section of Bukaksan was a result of the January 21 Incident in 1968, when 31 members of North Korea's Unit 124, including Kim Shin-jo, infiltrated with the intent to attack the Blue House. After a confrontation with police, they fled into the Bukaksan and Inwangsan areas. Following this incident, the region was designated as a restricted area, with over 30 military outposts and security facilities established.
As the area behind the Blue House is crucial for presidential security and capital defense, sections of Bukaksan have been gradually opened over the years. In 2020, 2.2 km of the northern area was opened, followed by 3.0 km of the southeastern area in 2022. With this third phase of opening, the total length of the trail will increase to 6.52 km. The new section will also be accessible 24 hours a day, similar to the existing trails.
Since July of last year, the Presidential Security Service has been preparing for the establishment and maintenance of the trail, along with safety measures. The Cultural Heritage Administration has worked on creating a suitable environment for the trail, while Jongno District has supported the installation project. The Security Service plans to maintain security and safety for visitors through patrols and the operation of closed-circuit television (CCTV). On the 7th of this month, a joint firefighting drill was conducted in the newly opened area with the Jongno Fire Station, the Korea Forest Service, Jongno District Office, and Jongno Police Station to prepare for potential wildfires.
The Security Service explained that this opening aligns with its principle of 'open security, low security,' which aims to respect the daily lives and convenience of the public while ensuring the safety of protected individuals. Hwang In-gwon, head of the Security Service, stated, “With this opening, we are able to fully return Bukaksan to the people.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.