Yongsan District
Yongsan
용산구 | |
---|---|
용산구 · 龍山區 | |
Korea Standard Time) | |
Postal code | 04300 ~ 04499 |
Area code(s) | +82-2-7xx |
Website | Official website |
Yongsan District (Korean: 용산구, romanized: Yongsan-gu, [jo̞ŋsʰa̠n ku]) is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea.
Yongsan has a population of 231,685 (2020) and has a geographic area of 21.87 km2 (8.44 sq mi), and is divided into 19 dong (administrative neighborhoods). Yongsan is located near Downtown Seoul, on the northern bank of the Han River, bordering the city districts of Jung to the north, Mapo to the west, Yeongdeungpo and Dongjak to the southwest, Seocho and Gangnam District to the southeast, and Seongdong to the east.
Description
Yongsan District is a district in central Seoul, South Korea. It sits to the north of the
It is the site of Yongsan Garrison, a large United States military base which, as of 2021, has gradually been wound down with the US forces being moved to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.
Geography
Yongsan is located next to the Han River, with level ground in the west of the district which has been used for transportation (rail) and commercial use since the early 20th century. To the east and north in the land is steeper and rises towards Namsan which lies to the north. Namsan has an elevation of 243m and consists mostly of granite.[2] The low lying western section of the district is approximately 15-20 above sea level. This low-lying area has been prone to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, a common issue with most of the low lying riverside districts in the city.[3]
Etymology
The name Yongsan derives from hanja and means “Dragon Mountain”.[4] In hanja, the characters are 龍 yong (meaning “dragon”) and 山 san (meaning “mountain”).
History
The oldest recorded mention of Yongsan is in a fable about two dragons that appeared over Hangang River in the 21st year of King
During the
Yongsan was designated an "open district" by the Korean government in 1884 and subsequently a foreign community established itself in the area, consisting of
Yongsan-gu, as an administrative district, came into being on April 17, 1896, under the name "Yongsan-bang". In October 1945 it became "Yongsan-gu" and in 1946 "Yongsan-gu of Seoul." The smaller administrative units, "dongs", were introduced in 1955.
Administration
Administrative divisions
Yongsan is divided into the following areas ('dongs'), each of which is served by a community center (hangul: 주민센터).
- Bogwang-dong (보광동 / 普光洞)
- Cheongpa-dong (청파동 / 靑坡洞)
- Seogye-dong (서계동 / 西界洞)
- Hangangno-dong (한강로동 / 漢江路洞)
- Hannam-dong (한남동 / 漢南洞)
- Huam-dong (후암동 / 厚岩洞)
- Hyochang-dong (효창동 / 孝昌洞)
- Ichon 1-dong (이촌 1동 / 二村一洞)
- Ichon 2-dong (이촌 2동 / 二村二洞)
- Itaewon 1-dong (이태원 1동 / 梨泰院一洞)
- Itaewon 2-dong (이태원 2동 / 梨泰院二洞)
- Namyeong-dong (남영동 / 南營洞)
- Dongja-dong (동자동 / 東子洞)
- Garwol-dong (갈월동 / 葛月洞)
- Seobinggo-dong (서빙고동 / 西氷庫洞)
- Dongbinggo-dong (동빙고동 / 東氷庫洞)
- Juseong-dong (주성동 / 鑄城洞)
- Wonhyoro 1-dong (원효로 1동 / 元曉路一洞)
- Munbae-dong (문배동 / 文培洞)
- Singye-dong (신계동 / 新契洞)
- Wonhyoro 2-dong (원효로 2동 / 元曉路二洞)
- Wonhyoro 3-dong (원효로 3동 / 元曉路三洞)
- Wonhyoro 4-dong (원효로 4동 / 元曉路四洞)
- Sancheon-dong (산천동 / 山泉洞)
- Sinchang-dong (신창동 / 新倉洞)
- Cheongam-dong (청암동 / 淸岩洞)
- Yongmun-dong (용문동 / 龍門洞)
- Dowon-dong (도원동 / 桃園洞)
- Yongsan 2 ga-dong (용산 2가동 / 龍山二街洞)
Local government
The Yongsan district office is located close to Noksapyeong Station on Noksapyeong-daero.
Demographics
Since the establishment of a foreign community in Yongsan in the late 19th century, the area has been known as the most multicultural district in the city. This moniker was due in no small part to the presence of the Yongsan Garrison. However, other establishments such as the Seoul Central Mosque have had a huge effect on the culture and demographic nature of the district. According to statistics from the Yongsan district office, the foreign community has been increasing every year since 2015, when the total number of foreign residents was 19,078. As of 2020, it was 21,067.[12]
Foreign Residents (as of 2020)[13] | |
---|---|
USA | 4,719 |
China | 3,202 |
Japan | 1,295 |
Philippines | 635 |
Nigeria | 556 |
Germany | 462 |
UK | 331 |
India | 414 |
Taiwan | 352 |
Other | 9,101 |
Total | 21,067 |
Politics and government
The headquarters of the Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) are located in Yongsan, in between the northern and southern sections of Yongsan Garrison, close to Samgakji station.[14]
On March 20, 2022, South Korea's President-elect
Diplomatic missions
Being at the center of the city, the district hosts numerous foreign embassies.[16]
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Hungary
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Romania
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sudan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Zambia
Military
Since the 19th century the Yongsan site has been used as a military installation, first by the
Following the end of
The presence of the Yongsan Garrison has had a significant effect on life in Seoul and South Korea at large, with the adjacent Itaewon area developing to serve the needs of US personnel stationed at Yongsan.[18] The presence of US personnel, currency and supplies was of huge importance to the people of Seoul in the early years after the Korean War and a considerable black market developed, as did numerous variations of Korean staple dishes using newly arrived US food supplies.[19]
National Park Proposal
The withdrawal of most US personnel and infrastructure from Yongsan will free up a significant amount of land within the district, land which has been under foreign control for over a century. The first proposal for redeveloping the site came from the former president
In January 2021 the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the area would be called Yongsan Park. The name was chosen after a poll in which residents submitted 9,401 name proposals in 2020.[23]
Economy
Yongsan has a diverse economy with major differences between areas within the district.
The area around Seoul Station and Yongsan Station is dominated by large corporations and
The Yongsan area has seen considerable development since the mid 2010s with the addition of upmarket apartment buildings are high grade office space. On the west side of Yongsan is Seoul Dragon City, a new multi-tenant hotel development which is planned as the first phase of a major redevelopment project on the site of the disused railroad marshaling yard. The development includes four hotels run by three hotel chains: Novotel, Mercure and Ibis.
Hannam-dong is an upmarket area to the east of the district and is the location of some of the most expensive real estate in Seoul, along with galleries and restaurants.
Finally, Namsan, situated to the north, is a major tourist hotspot although
Itaewon Special Tourist Zone
The Itaewon area besides Yongsan Garrison was designated a special tourist zone in 1997 on account of popularity not only with US military personnel but also Koreans and foreign tourists and residents. According to Korean government data, 20,000 foreign residents live in the area.[25] Itaewon's popularity began to diversify and increase in the 1980s as international attention focused on Seoul and the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics.[26] The area has around 2,000 shops and a large number of bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes.[27] The focal point of the area is the intersection in front of the Hamilton Hotel, on top of Itaewon Station. From there, several different areas branch off to form distinct communities. Immediately to the north and spread towards HBC is a lively bar, club and eating area. To the south of the station are more shops and multi ethnic cuisines influenced by the presence of Seoul Central Mosque. This area has seen a large increase in the number of small shops selling clothes, jewellery and associated items, as well a large number of tailors who have historically catered for US military personnel. Every October, Itaewon Global Village Festival takes place in and around the area, with the focal point being on Itaewon-ro where live music performances are held and international food markets take place.[28]
Close to Itaewon are Hangangjin and Hannam-dong. Both areas are known for their gentrified leisure-based economies with a large number of galleries, cafes and restaurants. Hannam-dong is also known for having the most expensive real estate prices in South Korea, with recent (2020) apartment prices reaching $6.16 million.[29] Housing is this area is popular with corporate executives and other wealthy individuals.[30] Galleria recently opened a new department store in Hannam-dong which is partially focused on VIP customers and luxury goods.[31] The department store is incorporated into the Nine One Hannam apartment complex, a luxury housing development built on the site of housing previously used by US military and government personnel.[32]
Yongridan-gil
Young people gathered in the alleyway of Han River-ro 2-ga between Yongsan Station and the triangular area since the establishment of AmorePacific New Building. The street, where cute cafes and restaurants remodeled nearby houses were created one by one, began to be called "Yongridan-gil." Various subway lines such as Yongsan Station, Shin Yong-san Station, and Triangle Zone exist around and are emerging as a hot place for young people as they belong to the axis where transportation is convenient.[33]
Transport
Rail
Being centrally located within Seoul, Yongsan is host to two of Seoul's most important intercity rail stations –
Yongsan Station, like Seoul Station, is a multipurpose facility which now consists of a
GTX
Great Train Express is a planned high speed commuter rail network in the Seoul Capital Area project consisting of three separate lines, named GTX A, GTX B and GTX C, with the first two intended to serve Seoul Station (A & B) and Yongsan Station (B).[35]
AREX
Seoul station is also served by AREX, the airport railroad. AREX began operations in 2007 and provides ‘all-stop’ (commuter) and ‘express’ (direct services from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station) services. The service was extended in 2018 to serve the newly opened terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport.
Metro
Yongsan is served by Seoul Subway
Buses
Yongsan is served by all
Airport Limousine
Airport Limousine services 6030 and 6702 connect Yongsan with Gimpo and Incheon international airports. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these services have been suspended.
Education
Universities
International schools
As a result of its large foreign community, Yongsan has several international schools catering for the children of diplomats and foreign professionals.
- German School Seoul International (Hannam-dong)[39]
- Yongsan International School of Seoul
- Centennial Christian School (한국기독교100주년기념외국인학교)
- Global Christian Foreign School ( 지구촌기독외국인학교 )
The
Attractions
- National Museum of Korea
- War Memorial of Korea
- Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
- The Kim Koo Museum
- Seoul Central Mosque
- Ongamenete-Sports Stadium
- HYBE Insight
Sister cities
- Dangjin, South Korea
- Sacramento, United States
- Shaoxing, China
- Xuanwu, China
- Quy Nhơn city, Bình Định province, Vietnam
See also
- Itaewon
- Namsan (Seoul)
- Yongsan Garrison
- Yongsan Station
References
- ^ "History of Yongsan". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Visit Korea: Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워)". www.english.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ^ "Yonhap News Agency, (LEAD) Major highways in Seoul partly closed, flood alerts issued as downpours raise water level of Han River". Yonhap News Agency. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ^ "Korea Joongang Daily What's in a name? A lot of history, it turns out. 2011-07-03". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "The History of Yongsan-gu". www.health.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "The History of Yongsan-gu". www.health.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "The History of Yongsan-gu". www.health.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "The History of Yongsan-gu". www.health.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "Yongsan Gu Office Homepage". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Yongsan Gu Office Homepage". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Yongsan Gu Office Homepage". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Yongsan Gu Office: Statistics". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Yongsan Gu Office: Statistics". www.yongsan.go.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Location." (Archive) Ministry of National Defense. Retrieved on January 1, 2014. "Yongsan-dong 3 Ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 140-701"
- ^ "Yoon says presidential office to relocate to defense ministry compound". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "주한공관주소록". 외교부. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Jeong, Andrew (3 September 2019). "Andrew Jeong, Wall Street Journal: The end of small town America in the Heart of Seoul. 2019-09-03". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "Chan Hee Kim, The Cultural Identity of Itaewon, Situations Vol. 5 (Winter 2011), Yonsei University" (PDF). www.situations.yonsei.ac.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Chan Hee Kim, The Cultural Identity of Itaewon, Situations Vol. 5 (Winter 2011), Yonsei University" (PDF). www.situations.yonsei.ac.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Korea Times, Korea to expand size of proposed national park in Yongsan, 2019-12-23". The Korea Times. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Korea Times, Korea to expand size of proposed national park in Yongsan, 2019-12-23". The Korea Times. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Korea Times, Korea to expand size of proposed national park in Yongsan, 2019-12-23". The Korea Times. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Korea Times, Yongsan Park chosen as name for development project for returned US base, 2021-01-17". The Korea Times. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Amorepacific Headquarters / David Chipperfield Architects". www.archdaily.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- ^ "Visit Korea: Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)". www.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "Visit Korea: Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)". www.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "Visit Korea: Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)". www.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "Visit Korea: Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)". www.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "Korea Herald, Hannam The Hill holds the fort as top-priced apartment in S. Korea, 2020-08-14". The Korea Herald. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "Korea Herald, Hannam The Hill holds the fort as top-priced apartment in S. Korea, 2020-08-14". The Korea Herald. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "Korea Times, Department stores refurbish, focusing on luxury brands, 2020-08-14". The Korea Times. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "AtSeoul Inc., Nine One Hannam, one of the most luxurious apartments in Korea". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Hot place for insiders! #Yongridan-gil". 2020-11-25.
- ^ "VisitKorea: Seoul Station (서울역)". www.english.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Seoul to build high-speed regional rail network". 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Korea Times, Sookmyung picked to run first female ROTC program. 2010-09-15". The Korea Times. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Sookmyung University News: The history of Sookmyung Women's University ROTC from the first ever towards becoming the best 2021-01-18". www.sookmyung.ac.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Loe Cordon Bleu, Seoul". www.sookmyung.ac.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ^ "Kontakt." German School Seoul International. Retrieved on May 22, 2014. "Adresse Deutsche Schule Seoul International 123-6 Doksodang-Ro, Yongsan-Gu 140-210 Seoul"
- ^ "Korea's Little France, Seorae Village" (Archive). Arirang (Korea International Broadcasting Foundation). June 23, 2009. Retrieved on May 22, 2014.
External links
- Yongsan District travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Yongsan-gu website
- Yongsan : Official Seoul City Tourism