For years, South Koreans have trampled the floor of Seoul Plaza, a huge square known for hosting numerous events, whether demonstrations or concerts, without knowing that a 3,000 m² underground space is hidden underneath, reports The Guardian. An empty, concreted space, equipped with pipes in which stalactites have formed, “witnesses of the passage of time and decades of abandonment.”
This week, this 335-meter-long tunnel, located 13 meters beneath Seoul Plaza, was revealed to the public for the first time. But its origin and usefulness remain a mystery, even in the eyes of the authorities.
The city wants to rehabilitate this space
Different hypotheses are being considered: from an anti-aircraft bunker, given the country’s proximity to North Korea, to a simple and wide corridor to connect two metro stations that has never been used.
During a public visit, organized by the municipality, a guide explained to the journalist from guardian that this space would likely have been created when the subway station adjacent to Seoul Plaza opened in 1983, then covered and unused for 40 years.
This mysterious tunnel was revealed as part of a city project to transform subway stations into urban attractions. Citizens are therefore asked to submit suggestions until mid-October on how to rehabilitate it.
Source: BFM TV
