Gimpo: The number of monthly visitors to Aegibong Peace Ecopark, located near the inter-Korean border, has surged significantly this year following the opening of a Starbucks store at the site late last year, officials have announced. The park, situated just northwest of Seoul, recorded an average of 32,379 monthly visitors from January to April, up from 15,852 monthly visitors in 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the increase in foreign tourists has been notable as well, with numbers rising to an average of 3,352 per month this year compared to 1,370 last year. The Gimpo city government attributes this rise in visitor numbers to the Starbucks store, which has gained popularity online for its unique view of North Korea, located just 1.4 kilometers away across the Han River estuary.
In addition to the Starbucks opening, the city government credits other initiatives for the boost in tourism, including the introduction of evening admissions to the park once a month. The Aegibong Peace Ecopark, which opened in 2021, features a hiking trail and an observatory providing views of the Han River estuary and North Korea. The park is situated on Aegibong hill, a site of significant historical importance due to the fierce battles fought there during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Since its inauguration, the park has welcomed over 500,000 visitors, with projections indicating that visitor numbers could reach 800,000 by the end of the year. Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo expressed optimism about the future, stating, "By securing further tourism infrastructure, (we) will pave the way to vitalize the local economy."