An idea to build an “underground city” that connects City Hall, the Gwangwhamun and Jonggak subway stations, and a soon-to-be established public park near the Seoul Metropolitan Council building is being considered by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, according to its Public Development Center.

The Seoul Institute, a think tank working closely with the city government, is researching ways to connect the two major subway stations in central Seoul and the City Hall building, said Lee Seong-chang, the head of the city’s public development division. The study ends in August.

“Once the research is finished, we will be talking about whether we should pursue this project, and the size of the budget required,” he told The Korea Herald.

In March, the city government will demolish the Seoul Regional Tax Office Namdaemun Annex building, which was built in 1937 by the Japanese to block the view of Deoksugung Palace during the colonial era.

After the demolition of the building, which is close to the building of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in central Seoul, the property will be used as a public park.

The city government plans to connect the park and the City Hall building underground, and Lee expects the project to take about two years.

“The point is to provide a public cultural space that is also connected to City Hall,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, Seoul’s Jongno District Office is currently building an underpass that connects Jonggak subway station to Gwanghwamun subway stations, as well as the Kyobo Tower building near Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The property of the Kyobo Group is currently connected to Gwanghwamun Station. The underpass connecting the two stations is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

The tax office building is currently owned by the central government. In order to demolish it to establish the public park, the SMG is shifting its operations to the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae, an exhibition hall located in front of the presidential office ― which is currently being used as a museum.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)