Building Height Limited to 35 Floors Along Han River

New high-rise apartments taller than 35 floors will be banned along the Han River in Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the height limit in a management plan for the river area on Thursday. This plan targets an area within a 0.5-1 km radius from the river banks and covers 82 sq.km or 13.5 percent of the city.

The height limit will not apply to Yeouido, Yongsan, and Jamsil, where super high-risers can shoot up 51 floors or more.

But plans will have to be changed for some older apartment complexes in Apgujeong and Banpo, which were to be extended to 40 to 50 floors.

The new policy will also make sure that new developments provide landscape simulations to see if they block the view of mountains or other natural features.

For example, if developers want to put up a new building in the Hannam area, they will have to show that Mt. Nam remains clearly visible from the southern end of Hannam Bridge.