- Administrative procedures to be completed within first half of the year, including integration of 1.03 million m² park area, followed by application -
Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the city has completed the integration of Sorae Marsh into a single park as part of its efforts to designate the area as a National Urban Park, and will begin full-scale operations to transform the area into a natural space that blends with the citizens’ lifestyles.
Sorae Marsh is a symbolic natural ecological resource in the Seoul metropolitan area, featuring vast tidal flats, tidal channels, and diverse halophytic vegetation. It also holds significant landscape value with its distinctive West Coast scenery and serves as a historical and cultural site, home to Korea’s first salt warehouse—currently under consideration for municipal registration as cultural heritage—along with former salt fields.
To preserve and utilize these resources at a systemic level, Incheon has steadily carried out preliminary procedures for park integration, including the establishment of an urban management plan for the first-phase project area of 1.03 million m², and plans to complete all related administrative procedures within the first half of this year.
In addition, following the amendment of relevant legislation on August 26, 2025, which established the basis for designation as a National Urban Park, Incheon will submit its application after the law comes into effect on August 27, 2026.
Through the Sorae Marsh project, the city aims to create the first National Urban Park in the capital area, meeting global standards, where the unique natural environment of the West Coast harmonizes with historical and cultural assets.
In particular, the project will be implemented as a citizen-participatory model rather than a solely government-led initiative. Citizens will participate directly in the designation process and help shape the park’s future.
To achieve this goal, Incheon held a halophyte planting event in March and reed removal activities in April, and has continued to operate citizen participation programs such as the “Sorae Academy” since May.
Yoo Gwang-jo, Director of the City’s Urban Balance Bureau, stated, “Sorae Marsh is more than just a park. It is a valuable asset that represents the nature and history of Korea’s West Coast. Given its symbolic significance as the first National Urban Park in the capital and its public value, we look forward to the active cooperation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.” He added, “Public interest and participation are essential for the designation, and we ask for continued support and engagement from citizens.”
Incheon plans to further expand citizen participation programs and promotional activities to build a broader public consensus for the park’s designation.
