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In heart of Seoul, Jung District blends history with global flair
Jung District head Kim Kil-sung speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the district office in central Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Jung District Office
By Park Ung
In Seoul, all roads lead to Jung District.
Located smack dab in the city’s historical, cultural and commercial heart, this central hub — known in Korean as Jung-gu — is unavoidable, containing many of the capital’s most iconic and frequently visited landmarks.
“Over 80 percent of foreign tourists to Korea visit Seoul, and more than 70 percent of them stop by the district’s landmarks, such as Myeong-dong, Namdaemun and Mount Nam,” Jung District head Kim Kil-sung said in an interview with The Korea Times.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Jung District is now working to help more foreign visitors experience the best it has to offer.
In Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s best-known tourist areas, the district plans to install media poles — smart street pillars equipped with emergency bells and digital screens that provide real-time updates on weather, air quality and local events.
“Myeong-dong’s mix of wide streets, narrow alleys and varied buildings makes it perfect for walking,” Kim said. “This setting lets visitors feel fully immersed in large-scale visual content.”
People watch a large digital screen display during the lighting ceremony at Shinsegae Department Store in Jung District, central Seoul, Nov. 1, 2024. Courtesy of Jung District Office
Building on these strengths, Myeong-dong will add outdoor billboards similar to those in New York’s Times Square and create plazas where visitors can sit back and take in the atmosphere.
But Myeong-dong isn’t the only draw in Jung District, which boasts over 630 years of history. Visitors can also stroll along Jeongdong-gil, a street lined with 19th- and early 20th-century redbrick buildings that embody Korea’s modern history, or explore Sindang-dong, famous for its spicy tteokbokki, a beloved stir-fried rice cake dish.
“Many tourists used to leave Jung District without experiencing its full range of attractions, focusing only on areas dense with hotels and shops,” Kim said. “It was regrettable to see visitors miss out on the district’s diverse offerings.”
To change that, the district introduced the Jung-gu Tour Pass, a mobile pass that offers free or discounted access for a set period at affiliated attractions, cafes, restaurants and other venues across the district.
The pass, available to both Koreans and foreigners, was launched in April. Around 2,100 passes were sold in the first five months. Foreign visitors can use up to 22 free services within 36 hours, allowing them to explore different parts of Jung District.
Jung District is also highlighting it connection to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the 16th century naval commander who defeated Japan during the Imjin War, as part of efforts to diversify its cultural content.
The district, Yi’s birthplace, designated a 766-meter section from Namsangol Hanok Village to the Euljiro 3-ga intersection as “Yi Sun-sin Road” and is holding a weeklong celebration in his honor through Friday. The 2025 Yi Sun-sin Festival will also take place Saturday, featuring an archery contest, walking festival and film screening.
Foreign residents brew makgeolli (traditional Korean rice wine) at the Myeong-dong Community Center in Jung District, central Seoul, Sept. 27. Courtesy of Jung District Office
Jung District houses around 10,000 foreign residents, representing 8.8 percent of its population — the largest proportion among Seoul’s 25 districts. In January, it became the first district in the city to form a team specifically to support foreign residents.
“More than half of foreign residents have lived here for over five years, so we decided to integrate the separate support programs previously run by different departments into a single, coordinated plan,” Kim said.
In August, the district appointed 42 honorary community leaders to better engage its foreign residents.
The leaders, representing countries including China, Vietnam, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and France, were chosen from long-term residents who have lived in Korea for over three years or have established families here.
They will bridge the district office and foreign residents, helping shape community policies and share local information.
“We aim to make Jung District a place where Koreans and foreigners can thrive together by helping foreign residents feel a sense of belonging in the community,” Kim said. “To that end, we’re developing tailored programs that meet their needs while helping them understand local norms and values so they can get along well with local residents.”