Drastic Transformation of Cheonggyecheon Stream

 

present-day Cheonggyecheon

 

 

 

Penetrating downtown Seoul in the east-west direction, the Cheonggyecheon Stream is one of the tributaries of the Han River with a total length of 5.84 km. 

Due to the frequent flooding, and water pollution etc, the stream began to be covered in the 20th century, and in the 1970s the entire area was completely covered. The covered stream was a symbol of Korean urban modernization.

 

 

present-day Cheonggyecheon

 

 

 

However, as soon as it was pointed out that it destroyed the natural environment and historical culture, the restoration project was initiated by investing about 390 billion won from July 2003 to September 2005. This was one of the initiatives pursued by former President Lee Myung-bak as Mayor of Seoul.