[비즈한국] As the government resumes its push to develop the Taereung Golf Course (CC) in Nowon-gu, Seoul, after six years, voices of concern are emerging from nearby residents and users. Residents met on-site expressed worry over environmental changes, including the destruction of green space and increased traffic burden. While the government has set a goal to supply 6,800 households at Taereung CC with construction slated to begin in 2029, Nowon-gu maintains that regional transportation measures—such as the expansion of Hwarang-ro and the extension of Subway Line 6—must be prioritized.
On the 9th, when the reporter visited Taereung CC, a steady stream of vehicles arrived despite it being a weekday. The parking lot was filled, and the adjacent practice range also saw a steady flow of users. There were also quite a few visitors enjoying a round on the course.
The development of Taereung CC was previously proposed in the August 4 Housing Supply Measures announced by the Moon Jae-in administration in 2020. At the time, the government planned to supply 10,000 households there, but issues such as traffic congestion, destruction of green space, and the preservation of the nearby cultural heritage sites of Taereung and Gangneung were raised. In 2021, the supply scale was reduced to 6,800 households, and the project remained stagnant for a long period thereafter. This year, the government decided to push ahead with the Taereung CC development in earnest, setting a target to break ground in 2029.
Residents met near Taereung CC generally showed negative reactions to the renewed development plans. The majority were concerned that the current green space and surrounding environment would be altered.
A resident in their 70s, identified as A, who was walking along the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail near Taereung CC, said, "The advantage of this area is that there is space to walk outside and breathe," adding, "It is regrettable that the current landscape will disappear once apartment construction begins." Another resident walking with them said, "Most people I talk to in the neighborhood are against it," and, "I'm not happy that this is being brought up again."
Some residents are also concerned about the impact on nearby cultural heritage sites such as Taereung and Gangneung. Resident B, who was met near Taereung CC, stated, "They say developing Sewoon District 4 is difficult because of cultural heritage issues, so I don't understand why they are trying to develop this place," adding, "I fear the natural environment will be destroyed once apartment construction starts, creating a desolate atmosphere."
The issue residents pointed out most frequently on this day was traffic. Hwarang-ro, which sits adjacent to Taereung CC, is a major road connecting the northeastern part of Seoul to Guri and Namyangju, and it experiences heavy traffic during rush hours. In particular, the area around Hwarangdae Intersection is cited as a spot where congestion repeats every rush hour as vehicles using Hwarang-ro, Gyeongchunbuk-ro, and the Sinnae IC converge. Residents expressed concern that while the roads are already congested, the addition of thousands of households could further increase the traffic burden.
Indeed, even on this day, the number of vehicles traveling on Hwarang-ro became noticeably higher as evening rush hour approached. A line of cars continued through the section passing in front of Taereung CC, and traffic volume increased as vehicles headed toward Hwarangdae Intersection.
Resident C, in their 20s, whom we met at Hwarangdae Intersection around 6 PM that day, said, "You can see the congestion when passing through here during rush hours," adding, "It feels like the congestion gets even worse if there's an event at the Korea Military Academy or Seoul Women's University."
The government plans to review traffic and cultural heritage preservation issues in tandem with the Taereung CC development process. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to complete a Heritage Impact Assessment within this year and devise transportation measures by March 2028 through channels such as the traffic improvement council, which has been in operation since last February.
Nowon-gu maintains the position that more concrete traffic measures are necessary before the government proceeds with the project. The district is demanding that the government expand Hwarang-ro and the Taereung-Guri IC, extend Subway Line 6 to connect Hwarangdae Station to Byeollae Station via Taereung CC, and construct the Baesa Tunnel. On August 12, Nowon-gu Mayor Seo Jun-oh, together with lawmaker Woo Won-shik, met with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok to convey the need to reflect local residents' demands in the Taereung CC development and to preemptively expand the regional transportation network.
Experts pointed out that rather than repeatedly presenting the same supply sites that have been discussed multiple times in the past, like Taereung CC, measures that can lead to actual housing supply are necessary. Kim Hak-ryeol, director of the Smart Tube Real Estate Research Institute, noted, "Sites like Taereung CC have been mentioned for a long time but have failed to lead to project execution," adding, "We need to consider what housing is actually needed and prepare measures accordingly."