The Tamesis
February 6, 2026
Seoul – For more than a decade, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) has been one of Seoul’s iconic landmarks and a “must-see” stop for tourists.
Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the aluminum cultural complex is widely considered an example of futuristic architecture and serves as the backdrop for fashion shows, exhibitions and major design events.
But ahead of local elections in June, the sector finds itself at the center of an unexpected political storm – and its long-term future may depend on the next mayor of Seoul.
Over the past month, several mayoral candidates have publicly questioned the value of the DDP, with some even suggesting its dismantling.
The controversy began when Seongdong District Mayor Chong Won-o argued that the site, originally the site of the old Dongdaemun Stadium, should be developed into a domed stadium for sports and performances.
He claimed the local economy in the area was “in trouble” as DDP had become “a place where people just take pictures and leave”, providing limited economic benefits.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government quickly responded. Citing visitor data, officials said the DDP attracted 17.1 million visitors last year alone and has accumulated more than 126 million visitors since its opening.
The city also highlighted economic indicators, saying credit card spending in nearby business districts increased 25.5% between 2022 and 2024, while foreign card transactions surged more than sixfold.
However, the issue resurfaced when Rep. Jeon Hyun-hee of South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party, who is running for mayor, called the East Democratic Party “a symbol of government dysfunction” and pledged to demolish it to build what she called the world’s largest “Seoul Dome.” Her comments fueled speculation that the election could determine whether the DMK’s future is preserved, reformed or demolished.
While modern retail centers such as Hyundai City Outlet and Doota Mall remain busy attracting domestic and foreign shoppers, vendors in the area say traditional fashion malls such as Uni-President Fashion Mall and Pyeonghwa Market are now seeing fewer visitors.
Experts say the recession stems from broader structural shifts.
The growth of online shopping, rising labor costs and fierce competition from Chinese manufacturers have weakened the once-dominant Dongdaemun fashion district. Many experts believe that DDP is not the cause and that the fashion industry is long overdue for a shakeup.
“The DDP’s role as a landmark could have been better aligned with the surrounding business ecosystem,” said Lee Eun-hye, a professor of consumer science at Incheon National University. “But blaming DDP for the market decline is misleading. The recession reflects deeper problems, not a single building.”
Another key consideration is that demolition will entail significant public costs.
Construction of the DDP was commissioned in 2014 at a cost of approximately 500 billion won ($341 million). By comparison, the Gocheok Sky Dome on the other side of the city opened in 2015 to replace the former Dongdaemun Stadium and cost about 200 billion won to build.
The Seoul Arena concert complex in Changdong, Dobong District, in the far north of Seoul is currently under construction, and experts have questioned whether another domed venue is necessary.
Yoon Young-hee, spokesman for the Seoul City Council People Power Party, criticized the demolition proposal in a statement. “Who among the people of Seoul would support demolishing a fully functional building and building another one?” she said.
“How much does it cost to dismantle the DDP and how much does it cost to build a new facility? Those costs ultimately fall on taxpayers.”
Urban planning scholars emphasize that landmarks are not just aesthetic structures but are part of a city’s identity and competitiveness.
“The DDP is an iconic architectural asset and a highly used public space,” said Suh Jin-hyung, a professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University.
“It deserves preservation and demolition would be a waste of state resources. If anything, large venues like the Dome should be built in outlying areas where scale and traffic better match.”
