Iconic South Korean district on the brink in divisive urban renewal fight

For 42 years, Ha Sung-ki has sold large speakers to churches and event halls from his electronics shop inside Seoul’s Sewoon Plaza.

On a weekday afternoon, the corridor outside – once part of a bustling merchants’ network – is largely empty.

“These days, the number of customers crossing the street to come here can be counted on your fingers – sometimes fewer than 10 a day,” he said.

“People used to come for the nostalgia, the vintage products and the experience of assembling electronic components. But that whole culture has disappeared.”