- Private investment and MOU to revitalize Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue

- Aquarium and theme park to be constructed with plans finalized this year and completion targeted for 2027

Incheon Metropolitan City and Hanwha Hotels & Resorts will seek to revitalize the Seoul metropolitan landfill using various measures, such as modernizing the equestrian venue and establishing a theme park incorporating an aquarium.

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it signed an MOU with Hanwha Hotels & Resorts VP of Future Vision Kim Dong-seon on Jan. 15 to revitalize the Seoul metropolitan landfill (Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue). The signing ceremony took place at Incheon City Hall's reception room, with attendees including Hanwha Hotels & Resorts CEO Kim Hyung-jo, Hanwha Next CEO Choi Seok-jin, and Hanwha Aqua Planet CEO Han Hoon-seok.

Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue spans approximately 170,000 square meters, equivalent to 24 soccer fields (7,140 square meters each). It houses 20 facilities, including one main stadium, three practice arenas, one standby stable, a competition headquarters, and horse stalls.

Originally built as a venue for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, the facility has since struggled to find a clear purpose. Despite repeated efforts by Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SLC) to hire an operator for the site, it remained underutilized.

In an effort to address this challenge, Incheon has successfully secured private investment from Hanwha Hotels & Resorts to modernize Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue and develop the nation’s first theme park incorporating an aquarium, aligning with Incheon’s identity as a maritime city. 

Incheon aims to finalize the project plan by December 2025 through consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, SLC, and SLC Residents Support Council, and expects to complete the project by 2027.

The city anticipates this investment to transform the negative perception of the landfill by creating a hub for culture, tourism, and recreation. Furthermore, the project is expected to stimulate the local economy, enhance the quality of life for nearby residents, and foster mutual regional development.

Mayor Yoo commented, “This MOU marks a significant step not only in revitalizing Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue, but also in shaping future uses for the Seoul metropolitan landfill. We are committed to ensuring the success of this project, which will generate employment opportunities, revitalize the local economy, and provide citizens with a comfortable and enjoyable leisure space for a healthier lifestyle.”