Travel
How Seoul residents use the city’s parks, according to a new AI study
Haps Magazine Korea
January 11, 2026
(Photo by Seoul City Government/ Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
A new study from the Seoul AI Foundation has analyzed how citizens talk about and experience the city’s parks, and the results show that most people feel positively about them.
The foundation reviewed online mentions of 26 city parks across social media, news sites, and community platforms throughout 2025. The analysis found that about 76% of posts expressed positive feelings, using themes such as relaxation, scenery, enjoyment, and personal time spent in the parks.
The data also showed clear seasonal trends. Park mentions were highest in the fall, especially in September and October. Seoul Forest had the largest share of mentions at 33.7%, followed by Yeouido Park, Children’s Grand Park, Seoul Botanic Park, and Namsan Park.
In spring, many users talked about green walking trails such as the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail and the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail.
The study also found that different parks serve different roles in people’s lives. Seoul Forest was often mentioned in connection with everyday leisure, such as evening walks or time to relax. Yeouido Park was more closely linked to events and gatherings. Children’s Grand Park drew strong attention for performances, festivals, and family programs.
Namsan Park recorded the highest level of positive sentiment overall and was often described as “special” or “highly recommended,” showing that it has a strong and consistent image among both residents and visitors.
Based on the results, Seoul’s parks were grouped into five themes: urban leisure parks, cultural event parks, historical parks, nature and ecology parks, and neighborhood parks. Each type reflects different expectations and ways people use these spaces.
The foundation says the findings will be shared with the city to help improve park planning, programs, and visitor services. It also plans to continue using AI-based research to support policies that create changes citizens can directly feel.