Seoul is looking to move forward with its stalled Namsan gondola project, arguing that better transportation is needed as visitor numbers continue to rise.
Members of the city’s G3 Seoul Plan committee inspected the proposed gondola sites at Yejang Park and the summit of Namsan on August 25, reviewing the project and accessibility issues around the mountain.
Namsan attracts an estimated 12 million visitors annually, but transportation to the summit remains limited.
Around 1.7 million people used the existing Namsan Cable Car last year, with waits of one to two hours common on weekends and during peak periods.
Accessibility can be particularly difficult for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers. From Myeongdong Station, visitors must travel roughly 846 meters and cross seven intersections to reach the existing cable car station.
The planned public gondola would connect Yejang Park near Myeongdong Station with the Namsan summit, covering 832 meters in approximately three minutes.
Plans call for 25 10-person cabins capable of carrying more than 2,000 passengers per hour.
Construction began in August 2024 but is currently suspended. Seoul officials said they will work with relevant agencies to resolve the issues needed to restart the project.
The city is also planning additional attractions at Namsan, including a 360-degree observation deck and expanded nighttime tourism programs.
