Seoul's city government has unveiled plans to create a ‘floating’ swimming pool and art pier along the Han River, offering a bold new vision for the capital’s waterfront development.

Just two weeks after revealing its plans to build the world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel, the Seoul government has announced its intention to construct urban floating swimming zones along the iconic Han River.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon confirmed that a new art pier and public swimming pool are set to be built at Ichon Han River Park in southwest Seoul, close to the National Museum of Korea.

As per the government’s statement, the facility will span 5,000 square meters and include a public pool, an ‘art pier’ featuring exhibition areas, a concert hall, a sunset viewing platform, and docking space for boats.

The mayor also expressed hopes that the area will host water sports such as paddleboarding and water skiing, in addition to serving as a venue for art exhibitions and live performances.

Mayor Oh made the significant announcement about the Seoul waterfront project not in Seoul itself, but during a visit to Copenhagen’s public Harbour Bath, which he pointed to as a key inspiration for the planned development along the Han River.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is renowned as one of the top cities globally for swimming and water-based activities.

Havnebadet Islands Brygge, Denmark’s first floating public pool, opened in 2003 and has since become a popular destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

There are numerous other floating public swimming spots throughout Denmark, including the Kastrup Sea Bath, located in the Oresund Sound between Denmark and Sweden.

During his trip to Copenhagen, Mayor Oh was not only impressed by the floating swimming pools but also by other innovative waterfront features that caught his attention.

Mayor Oh also toured Urban Rigger, a floating community of buildings designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, located in Copenhagen’s harbor. These buildings serve as student housing, though he did not specify if Seoul would follow suit with its own floating residential projects.