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Mayor Park Heong-joon Announces Launch of Phase 2 Construction of the Amnam-dong Disaster Prevention Seawall to Prevent Repeated Typhoon Damage

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony today (February 26) at 11:00 a.m. at Namhang Sports Park (jokgu court) in the Deungdaero area of Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, for the “Amnam-dong Disaster-Prone Area (Disaster Prevention Seawall Phase 2) Improvement Project.”

Approximately 250 people are expected to attend the ceremony, including Mayor Park Heong-joon, Seo-gu District Mayor Gong Han-soo, Chair Choi Do-seok of the Busan Metropolitan Council’s Maritime City Safety Committee, construction officials, and citizens. The event will last about 40 minutes and proceed in the following order: national ceremony, introduction of distinguished guests, project progress report, commemorative address by the Mayor of Busan, congratulatory remarks by invited guests, and a groundbreaking performance.

The “Amnam-dong Disaster-Prone Area (Disaster Prevention Seawall Phase 2) Improvement Project” is designed to prevent overtopping damage that occurs during typhoon landfalls due to the low height of the existing seawall, and to prevent inland flooding and damage to facilities through land reclamation and seawall improvements.

The project involves the installation of a disaster prevention seawall (8–10 meters in height and 43 meters in width) along a section of approximately 1,000 meters from the West Breakwater in Seo-gu to Songdo Haesupia and Geobukseom. The total project cost amounts to KRW 135.1 billion. Phase 1 of the project, covering a 500-meter section from the West Breakwater to Songdo Haesupia with a secured budget of KRW 46.2 billion, began in 2018 and was completed in 2022.

Phase 2, which is being launched this time, will cover an approximately 500-meter section from Songdo Haesupia to Geobukseom at Songdo Beach, with a budget of KRW 88.9 billion to be invested over three years. The disaster prevention seawall (8–10 meters in height and 43 meters in width) will be constructed in a form and scale similar to the already completed Phase 1 seawall.

This project will not only prevent flooding and facility damage caused by typhoons but also utilize idle space on the reclaimed land to provide various waterfront-friendly spaces for citizens.

The Deungdaero area of Amnam-dong in Seo-gu has long suffered from frequent inundation caused by overtopping during typhoons, as there has been no buffer facility other than the coastal road (Deungdaero) between the coastal seawall (tetrapods) and nearby newly constructed buildings.

In particular, during Typhoon Hinnamnor in September 2022, overtopping led to flooding of the coastal road as well as raw fish restaurants, apartment buildings, and lodging facilities, resulting in significant property damage and losses.

With the completion of the entire seawall improvement through this construction, nearby residents will be able to avoid the substantial property damage and losses caused by overtopping during typhoons. The expanded reclaimed seawall area will also be available for use as a waterfront space.

The Phase 1 section of the disaster prevention seawall, completed in 2022, has already been equipped by the Seo-gu Office with facilities such as a park golf course, tennis courts, and a multi-purpose sports field, and has become a space for exercise and relaxation for local residents.

Mayor Park Heong-joon is expected to state, “The Deungdaero area of Amnam-dong in Seo-gu is adjacent to major roads connecting to Songdo Beach, the nation’s first public beach, as well as the Songdo Marine Cable Car, Cheonmasan Tunnel, and Namhang Bridge to the south. It is also an area frequently visited by citizens and tourists who come to enjoy the coastal walking trail. By promoting the improvement of the disaster prevention seawall in this area, which has suffered repeated damage during typhoons due to the aging seawall, we will create a safer urban environment. The space secured through reclamation is expected to become a waterfront area that residents will enjoy visiting.”