Gwangjin District(Korean:광진구;RR:Gwangjin-gu) is one of the25 districtsofSeoul, South Korea.It is located on the north bank of theHan Riveron the eastern end ofSeoul.The district was split from the neighboringSeongdong Districtin 1995. Gwangjin District is home toKonkuk UniversityandSejong University.

Gwangjin
광진구
광진구 · quảng tân khu
Star City
Aerial view of the district
Sangheo Memorial Library
Flag of Gwangjin
Location of Gwangjin District in Seoul
Location of Gwangjin District inSeoul
Coordinates:37°32′13″N127°04′55″E/ 37.537°N 127.082°E/37.537; 127.082
CountrySouth Korea
RegionSudogwon
Special CitySeoul
Administrative dong15
Government
• BodyGwangjn-gu Council
• MayorKim Kyung-ho (People Power)
MNAs
Area
• Total
23.92 km2(9.24 sq mi)
Population
(September 2024[1])
• Total
333,403
• Density14,000/km2(36,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9(Korea Standard Time)
Postal code..
04900 ~05199
Area code(s)+82-2-400~
WebsiteGwangjin District official website
Map

History

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In 1949, the district was initially part of the administrative area of Goyang-gun. On August 13, 1949, Goyang-gun's Ttukdo-myeon (anadministrative district) was incorporated into Seoul, leading to the establishment of the Ttukdo Branch Office in the newly formed city.[2]

By 1950, there was a significant change when the district's naming convention shifted. The term 'ri,' used to describe smaller administrative units, was replaced with 'dong,' a term signifyingurban districts,marking the first major administrative change in the region. This was followed by further restructuring, such as the dissolution of the Ttukdo Branch Office in 1964, with its jurisdiction being incorporated directly into the newly-formed Seongdong District.[2]

In 1975, Seongdong District was further divided into two districts: Seongdong District andGangnam District.At this time, Gwangjin District was still part of Seongdong District. It wasn't until March 25, 1976, that Seongdong District's administrative headquarters was relocated to what is now the Gwangjin District area, which was then called Ttukdo.[2]

In 1977, Gwangjin District's current name was established, after the division of the Gwangjin District from the original Seongdong District. In 1980, additional administrative restructuring took place, as parts ofJunggok-dongwere split to form the new Junggok 2 and 4 districts. Meanwhile,Songjeong-dongwas divided intoSongjeongandGunja-dongdistricts.[2]

In 1985, Jaryang 1 and 2 were divided into Jaryang 1, 2, and 3. In 1995, Seongdong District was again divided into Gwangjin District and Seongdong District, further consolidating the district's present borders. The area was divided into 16 smaller administrative districts, including several divisions such as Junggok 1-4,Neung-dong,andGwangjang-dong.The same year, Gwangjin District was formally incorporated as anadministrative subdivisionof the Seoul Special Metropolitan City.[2][3]

Characteristics

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Cheongdam Bridge

Gwangjin District is characterized by a remarkable variety in its composition. It is home to the Konkuk University campus, the vicinity of which is one of Seoul's top nightlife destinations. The south bank overlooking the Han River is a densely packed residential district, where high-rise apartment buildings dominate the skyline, yet the heart and northern end of the district are centers for light industry and manufacturing. The district is also a hub for transportation and mail in and out ofSeoul,as theDong Seoul Bus Terminaland theEast-Seoul Postal Service Depotlink Seoul with most other major cities in Korea. Most of the remaining area is residential, but consist not of apartment buildings characteristic of the city, but of three or four-story row houses separated by small roads and alleyways.

The Konkuk University area is a popular nightlife district featuring dozens of restaurants, bars, DVD rooms, and pool houses catering to a mostly younger crowd, much like the areas ofSinchonandHongdae.The area is also a burgeoning shopping district with several boutiques cropping up within the newly designated Rodeo Street and the opening of theStar City mall,which features numerous restaurants and specialty shops.

Children's Grand Park

Adjacent to the Sejong University campus isChildren's Grand Park,a park complex, which features fountains, walking trails, a zoo, and an amusement park. The area of the park serves as aleisure facility,providing the residents of the area within the vicinity of the complex as well as the students of Sejong University a variety of recreational opportunities.

In the centre of Gwangjin District isGangbyeonsubway station, which serves as one of the many subway connections of the district. On the left of the station is Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, where buses serve various destinations includingBusan,Gwangju,Daegu,andDaejeon.

Located in the northeastern section of the district is the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, managed by theSheraton Hotels and Resorts[4]and W Seoul Walkerhill Hotel, with one of only three casinos in Seoul.

Administrative divisions

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Administrative divisions

Gwangjin District is made up of several neighbourhoods, with a total of 8 dongs forming the administrative network of the district. Due to the geographical landscape of the district, which bordersMountain Acha (Achasan)and the Han River, the territory of Gwangjin was used as an arena forGoguryeo,Baekje,andSillato compete with each other. Apart from strategic purposes, Achasan is also the setting of a legendary love story which revolves around General Ondal, the son-in-law ofKing Pyeongwon of Goguryeo,andPrincess Pyeonggang.[5]

Gwangnaru and Ttukseom Ferry were keytransportation hubs,where people traveled since ancient times. Products and materials from theKorean peninsulawere collected and brought there. During theJoseonperiod, many nobles and scholars settled in the area, reciting lyrical poems and writing books.

Divisions

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  • Gunja-dong (군자동;Quân tử động)
  • Guui-dong(구의동;Chín nghi động)
  • Hwayang-dong(화양동;Hoa dương động)
  • Jayang-dong(자양동;Tử Dương động)
  • Junggok-dong (중곡동;Trung cốc động)
  • Neung-dong (능동;Lăng động)
  • Noyu-dong(노유동;Lão du động)

Transportation

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Jayang station

Seoul Subway Line 2

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Seoul Subway Line 2,also known as the Circle Line, passes through Gwangjin District with key stations, such asKonkuk University,Guui,and Gangbyeon. Other neighbouring areas surrounding the district, such as Seongdong District andSongpa Districtare accessible through the line.

(Seongdong-gu) ← Konkuk University — Guui — Gangbyeon → (Songpa-gu)

Seoul Subway Line 5

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Seoul Subway Line 5runs through Gwangjin District with stops atGunja,Achasan,andGwangnarustations. This line links the district toDongdaemun Districtin the west andGangdong Districtin the east.

(Dongdaemun-gu) ← Gunja — Achasan — Gwangnaru → (Gangdong-gu)

Seoul Subway Line 7

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Seoul Subway Line 7provides additional coverage, with stations such asJunggok,Gunja,Children's Grand Park,Konkuk University, andJayang.This line connects Gwangjin District toJungnang Districtin the north and Gangnam District in the south.

(Jungnang-gu) ← Junggok — Gunja — Children's Grand Park — Konkuk University — Jayang → (Gangnam-gu)

Education

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Konkuk University's Seoul Campus

Gwangjin District features a wide variety of educational institutions and international schools, these include theSejong University Elementary School,which is administered by theSeoul Metropolitan Office of Education,[6]Seoul Gwangwan Middle School, Gwangnam High School,International Mongolia School,and the Korea Kent Foreign School.

Gwangjin District also houses Sejong University, Konkuk University, as well as Sejong Cyber University. Sejong and Konkuk have been regarded as one of the best universities in the country, and stand out in their respective points of interest. Recent ranking released by theKorea JoongAng Dailypositioned Konkuk at 10th and Sejong University at 17th best universities in the country.[7]

Sister cities

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References

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  1. ^"Population statistics".Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety.2024.
  2. ^abcde연혁 < 우리구 소개 < 광진소개 < 포털사이트.gwangjin.go.kr(in Korean).Retrieved2024-12-24.
  3. ^"Evolution of the administrative districts -".Official Website of the.Retrieved2024-12-24.
  4. ^Kim, Mi-ju (19 September 2011)."New Sheraton opens, first 5-star lodgings in Yeongdeungpo".Korea JoongAng Daily.Archived from the original on 11 April 2013.Retrieved26 February2013.
  5. ^행정구역 < 우리구 소개 < 광진소개 < 포털사이트.gwangjin.go.kr(in Korean).Retrieved2024-12-24.
  6. ^세종초등학교 학교정.
  7. ^"Seoul National University tops JoongAng rankings for ninth year as Yonsei closes gap".Korea JoongAng Daily.2024-11-19.Retrieved2024-12-24.
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