Yongsan Children’s Garden Fully Opens to the Public With No Reservation Required

The Yongsan Children’s Garden, previously operated under a reservation-only system, has now been fully opened to the public. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced that the temporary open section of the Yongsan Park returned land is now accessible without any prior booking or entry procedures.

---

Opening Date and Operation Period

The full public opening began on December 30, 2025. During the temporary opening period, the space is available to all citizens as an open public park.

The former reservation system has been abolished, allowing visitors to enter freely without identity checks or security screening, similar to other public green spaces.

---

Operating Hours and Closed Day

The operating hours after the full opening are as follows:

· Tuesday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
· Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (night opening)
· Monday: Closed

With extended evening hours on Saturdays, visitors can now enjoy the park after work or during weekend nights.

---

How to Enter: No Reservation Required

The key change in the new operation policy is the complete removal of the advance reservation system.

Visitors can now enter freely upon arrival without any prior application or approval.

To support this change, MOLIT revised relevant regulations by removing clauses that allowed entry restrictions, identity verification, and checks on prohibited items.

As a result, the Yongsan Children’s Garden is now operated as an inclusive public space open to all age groups and visitors.

---

Location: Temporary Open Area of Yongsan Park

The fully opened area is part of the temporary open section of Yongsan Park, currently referred to as the Yongsan Children’s Garden.

This site was formerly used as a U.S. military base. The Officers’ Housing Complex Area 5 has been partially open since August 2020, while the Yongsan Children’s Garden opened in May 2023.

Since then, the area has attracted over 1.8 million visitors.

Due to concerns that the current name limits the perceived user group, the government plans to rename the site in the first half of next year after gathering public 의견, ensuring continuity with the future official Yongsan Park.

---

Enhanced Environmental Management and Transparency

To address public concerns about environmental safety, the government will strengthen environmental management measures across the returned land.

Starting next year, regular monitoring of air quality and soil conditions will be conducted, and the results will be publicly disclosed in a transparent manner.

An environmental management manual covering all stages—from land return and asbestos surveys to post-opening monitoring—will also be established and implemented.

---

Nighttime Cultural Program

Alongside the full opening, a nighttime program titled “Yongsan Park: A Path of Memory Walked with Light” will be held from December 30, 2025 to February 1, 2026.

The program runs every Friday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM near the former generals’ residences.

Through a combination of media art, lighting, video, sound, and guided walking tours, visitors can experience the historical and cultural narratives of the Yongsan Park site.

---

Government Statement

Jung Woo-jin, Head of the Yongsan Park Development Promotion Planning Group at MOLIT, stated: “Visitors can now enjoy the temporary open spaces of Yongsan Park without complicated entry procedures.”

He added that the government will continue to gather public feedback and ensure the smooth preparation of the official Yongsan Park development.