Will DDP survive? Seoul’s landmark turns into political battlefield

SEOUL - For more than a decade, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, better known as DDP, has stood as one of Seoul’s signature landmarks and a must-visit stop for tourists.

Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the aluminum-clad cultural complex has been widely regarded as a piece of futuristic architecture, serving as a backdrop for fashion shows, exhibitions and major design events.

But ahead of the local elections, the space finds itself at the centre of an unexpected political storm – and its long-term future could hinge on the next Seoul mayor.

Over the past month, several mayoral hopefuls have openly questioned DDP’s value, with some going as far as suggesting its demolition.

The controversy began when Seongdong-gu Mayor Chong Won-o argued that the site – originally home to the old Dongdaemun Stadium – should have been developed into a domed arena for sports and performances.

He claimed the area’s local economy is “struggling” because DDP has become “a place where people only take photos and leave,” offering limited economic benefits.

Seoul City quickly pushed back. Citing visitor data, officials said DDP attracted 17.1 million people last year alone, with cumulative foot traffic exceeding 126 million since its opening.

The city also highlighted economic indicators, saying credit card spending in nearby commercial zones jumped 25.5 per cent between 2022 and 2024, while foreign-card transactions surged more than sixfold.

Yet the issue resurfaced when Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee, now running for mayor, labeled DDP a “symbol of dysfunctional administration” and pledged to demolish it to build what she calls the world’s largest “Seoul Dome.” Her comments intensified speculation that the election could decide whether DDP’s future lies in preservation, overhaul or removal.

While modern retail hubs such as Hyundai City Outlet and Doota Mall remain busy with both domestic and foreign shoppers, vendors in the area do say that traditional fashion arcades, such as Tongil Sangga and Pyeonghwa Market, have fewer visitors.

Experts say these downturns stem from broader structural shifts.

The move towards online shopping, rising labour costs and intensified competition from Chinese manufacturers have weakened the once-dominant Dongdaemun fashion district. Many specialists argue that DDP is not the cause, and restructuring within the fashion industry is long overdue.

“DDP’s role as a landmark could have been better aligned with the surrounding commercial ecosystem,” said professor of consumer science Lee Eun-hye at Incheon National University.

“But blaming DDP for market decline is misleading. The downturn reflects deeper issues, not a single building.”

Another key consideration is the enormous public cost that demolition would entail. The construction of DDP alone cost about 500 billion won (S$435,000). For comparison, the Gocheok Sky Dome, which replaced the former Dongdaemun Stadium, cost nearly 200 billion won to build.

With Seoul currently constructing the Seoul Arena concert complex in Changdong, experts question whether another domed venue is even necessary.

In a statement, Ms Yoon Young-hee, spokesperson for the People Power Party on the Seoul Metropolitan Council, criticised the demolition proposal. “Who among Seoul citizens would support tearing down a fully functioning building only to construct another one in its place?” she said.

“How much will it cost to dismantle the DDP, and how much more to build a new facility? These are expenses that ultimately fall on taxpayers.”

Urban-planning scholars emphasise that landmarks are not simply aesthetic structures but form part of a city’s identity and competitiveness.

“DDP is an iconic architectural asset and a highly used public space,” said professor of real estate law Suh Jin-hyung at Kwangwoon University.

“It deserves preservation, and demolition would waste national resources. If anything, large-scale venues like domes should be built in outer districts where scale and access align better.” THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK