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Seocho District

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Seocho District (Korean: 서초구; RR: Seocho-gu) is one of the 25 local government districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. Seocho is a part of the Gangnam region, along with the Gangnam district of Seoul. Seocho District ranks as one of the richest neighborhoods in South Korea and among the most expensive areas in Seoul with an average sales price of 47.75 million South Korean won per 3.3 square meters.[2] Many of the wealthiest residents are concentrated in the three Gangnam districts including Seocho, known as Gangnam School District Eight (강남 8학군).[3]

Seocho
서초구
Autonomous District
서초구 · 瑞草區
Samsung Town, Also known as the Main headquarters for Samsung Group.
Samsung Town, Also known as the Main headquarters for Samsung Group.
Flag of Seocho
Flag
Location of Seocho District in Seoul
Location of Seocho District in Seoul
Coordinates: 37°29′01″N 127°01′57″E / 37.48361°N 127.03250°E / 37.48361; 127.03250
CountrySouth Korea
RegionSudogwon
Special CitySeoul
Administrative dong18
Government
 • BodySeochu-gu Council
 • MayorJeon Seong-soo (People Power)
 • MNAs
List of MNAs
Area
 • Total46.92 km2 (18.12 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[1]
 • Total405,126
 • Density8,600/km2 (22,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Postal code
06500 – 06899
Area code(s)+82-2-500(02 inside Korea)
WebsiteSeocho District official website
Map

Seocho District was established by Gangnam District in 1988, yet remains significantly connected to Gangnam and it is itself in terms of administration, geography, society, and economics. The name 'Seocho District' itself is derived from Seocho-dong, where Gangnam Station is located, which was originally under Gangnam District's jurisdiction. Consequently, the term 'Gangnam' is essentially shared between Gangnam District and Seocho District. Key commercial areas of the Gangnam downtown district, particularly around major subway stations such as Sinsa Station, Nonhyeon Station, and Sinnonhyeon Station, are physically indistinct from Gangnam District and are entirely managed by Seocho District.[4] Seocho District is served by the Seoul Subway Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 7, Line 9, and Shinbundang Line. South Korea's longest highway, Gyeongbu Expressway, also ends in Seocho.[5] The most crowded area in Korea, Gangnam-daero Gangnam Station, is located in this District.[5]

History

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Seocho District was once the capital of the Baekje Kingdom which existed between 18 BC and 660 AD.[6] At the time, the area was named Wiryesong (Fortress Castle) and was located in the western area of present-day Seocho-gu.[7] Located next to the Hangang River, the area which present Seocho-gu currently occupies is sometimes considered the cradle of Korean civilization, having been inhabited since prehistoric times.[7]

Development of the area first began in 1965 with plans to turn the land into a secondary hub of the metropolis.[7] Over the course of 20 years, the area was transformed from its rural beginnings into an urban center with a population of around 400,000.[7] Seocho District was officially established in January 1988, separating from the Gangnam District jurisdiction.[7]

Geography

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Economy

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According to the Korean Bar Association, more than one third of the practicing attorneys in Seoul work out of Seocho-dong, a southern neighborhood in Seocho District.[8] Sometimes referred to as "Seocho Judicial Town," the area is also home to many of the country's most important legal institutions, including the Supreme Court, the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office, the Seoul Central District Court, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.[8] The area also includes the headquarters of some of the world's largest companies which compose the clientele for many attorneys.[8]

Notable Firms

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Several of the world's largest companies have their headquarters located in this district.[9] Samsung, the country's largest conglomerate, has many of its important buildings in the area in an office park called Samsung Town.[9] Hyundai Motor Group, which as of 2022 is the 11th largest automobile manufacturer in the world, is also headquartered in the district.[9][10]

Income

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Due to the high concentration of residents with specialty occupations in Seocho District, the area is known to be one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Seoul.[11] In 2021, the average monthly income for residents in Seocho District was 3,770,000 KRW; this figure is only second to Gangnam District–at the district level–and is higher than the city of Seoul's average monthly income of 2,980,000 KRW.[11]

Administration

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Administrative divisions

In South Korea, there are two types of dong or neighborhoods, one of which is called Beopjeong-dong (법정동 法定洞) denoting "dong designated by law."[12] The other is called Haengjeong-dong (행정동 行政洞) referring to "dong assigned for administrative purpose."[12] As the population of residents in a beopjeong-dong increases or decreases, the administration in charge divides the dong into several haengjeong-dong, or integrates several beopjeong-dong into one haengjeong-dong.[12]

Neighborhood

Transportation

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Railroad

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(Gangnam-gu) ← Seoul National Univ. of Education – Seocho – Bangbae → (Dongjak-gu)
(Gangnam-gu) ← Jamwon – Express Bus Terminal – Seoul National Univ. of Education – Nambu Bus Terminal – Yangjae (Seocho-gu Office) → (Gangnam-gu)
(Gangnam-gu) ← Banpo – Express Bus Terminal – Naebang → (Dongjak-gu)
  • Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation
(Dongjak-gu) ← Gubanpo – Sinbanpo – Express Bus Terminal – Sapyeong → (Gangnam-gu)
Gangnam – Yangjae – Yangjae Citizen's Forest (Maeheon) – Cheonggyesan → (Bundang-gu)

Education

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Gangnam 8 District

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Gangnam School District 8 is a school district (administered by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education) that encompasses the Seocho and Gangnam districts of Seoul.[13] The district is known for its high-quality education and features some of Korea's most elite and competitive high schools such as Whimoon and Kyunggi high school.[14] Graduating classes from high schools in Gangnam School District 8 boast high admission rates to Korea's top universities.[15] Seoul National University's freshman class in 2022 had 10% of its students come from schools in Gangnam School District 8.[15]

Torch Trinity Graduate University is located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho District.[16]

International schools in the district:

Libraries

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The district has a large public library system with 21 public libraries.[18] In addition to libraries, Seocho District is home to 24 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 11 high schools, 1 school for the disabled, and 2 universities.[18]

Tourism

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The district is referred to as the "City of Corporation and IT" and is home to many restaurants, hotels, and cafes.[19]

Seoul Arts Center

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The Seoul Arts Center is located in Seocho District, Seoul.[20] The Arts center includes five main buildings: the Opera House, the Music Hall, the Hangaram Art Museum, the Hangaram Design Museum, and the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum.[21]

The Music Hall and Seoul Calligraphy Museum were built in 1988.[20] The Hangaram Art Museum and Art Archives were completed in 1990, and the Opera House was built and opened to the public in 1993.[20] The arts center attracts nearly 3 million annual visitors.[21]

National Library of Korea

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The National Library of Korea was established in 1945 and is located in Seoul.[22] The library contains over 10 million volumes and  numerous foreign books.[23]

National Gugak Center

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The National Gugak Center, located in Bangbae 3-dong of Seocho District, was founded in 1951 with the purpose of preserving Korean court and folk music.[24] The institute aims to promote traditional Korean music by hosting and engaging in workshops, research, and live performances.[24]

Other Attractions[25]

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Notable Events

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Collapse of Sampoong Department Store

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Sampoong Department Store, constructed in the Seocho-dong area of the district, collapsed on June 29, 1995, due to structural failures and regulatory negligence.[26] The disaster resulted in 502 deaths and over 900 injuries.[26] The collapse of the Sampoong Department Store is only second to the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh in terms of casualties caused by unintended building collapses.[26] Executives responsible for the construction of the Sampoong Department Store– namely Lee Joon who was the chairman of Sampoong Group's construction division– were later convicted for criminal negligence.[27]

Woomyeon Mountain Avalanche

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Woomyeon Mountain is a mountain terrain that stretches along the borders of the Seocho, Bangbae, Yangjae, and Woomyeon neighborhoods of Seocho District.[28] In 2011, unprecedented levels of rain in greater Seoul– over 587 mm in just 3 days– triggered an avalanche in Woomyeon mountain.[28] The disaster heavily impacted the Hyeongchon Village neighborhood of Seocho District, resulting in over 17 deaths and 50 injuries.[29]

Gangnam Station Flood

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On August 8, 2022, Seoul experienced one of its heaviest rainfalls of the last century.[30] The greater Seoul area experienced over 381.5 mm of precipitation– beating the single-day precipitation record of 354.7 mm in 1920.[30] One of the most impacted areas was Gangnam Station in Seocho District; a total of 3 casualties occurred in this area with 2 people being sucked into a sinkhole and the other drowning inside a lower level parking lot.[31]

Notable Areas

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Seorae Village

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Seorae Village, commonly referred to as the French district or "Little France", is an enclave located in Banpo 4-dong of Seocho district.[32] In the 1980s, with the construction of high-end, luxury residential villas, Seorae Village emerged as an affluent, residential neighborhood.[32] Additionally, with the French Embassy School in Korea (Lycée français de Séoul) moving from Yongsan District to Seocho District in 1985, the French population in Seorae Village steadily grew. The number of French residents residing in Seorae Village was further increased by French corporations– such as Carrefour, TGV, CLSA, and Bank of Renault– entering the Korean market in the 1990s.[33] Today, approximately 40% of the French population living in Korea reside in Seorae Village.[33]

Gangnam Station

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Gangnam Station is one of the most crowded places in Korea and a common meeting ground for young people.[34] After the release of PSY's hit song, Gangnam Style, it also became a major tourist attraction.[34] The station has a variety of outlets including restaurants, theaters, record stores, beauty salons, and massage specialists.[34] It serves as an important hub for transportation and is interconnected with the bus system.[34]

Sister cities

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International

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Domestic

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Notable people from Seocho District

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.seocho.go.kr/site/fe/02/10203000000002015070904.jsp Archived 6 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  2. ^ "South Korea: most expensive areas to live in Seoul 2022". Statista. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  3. ^ 자사고 폐지하자…강남 8학군 전셋값 `꿈틀`. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). 5 August 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  4. ^ 서초구청 ::오늘 행복하고 내일이 기다려지는 서초::. www.seocho.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b 이, 민지 (28 January 2020). "Gangnam busiest subway station in Seoul last year: data". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. ^ Cartwright, Mark. "Baekje". World History Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e "History - Seocho-gu(English)". www.seocho.go.kr. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Need a lawyer? Check out Seocho-dong". Korea JoongAng Daily. 19 October 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Seocho Moving Toward Global Village". The Korea Times. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  10. ^ "These are the 20 biggest car companies in the world". Fortune. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  11. ^ a b 서초구 전문직 월 858만원 '급여킹'…영등포구 20대 '급여왕자'[서울 사람들 얼마나 벌었나]. heraldk.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Administrative Divisions > Country Information > Overview > ibs". centers.ibs.re.kr. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. ^ [영상:THISCovery] 강남 8학군이라는 말은 왜 생긴 걸까?. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  14. ^ 명문고 강남 이전과 평준화 정책이 만든 '8학군병'. SBS NEWS (in Korean). 26 December 2015. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b Kim, Eun-kyung (18 October 2022). 올해 서울대 신입생 10% 강남구·서초구 고교 출신. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. ^ "footer01.gif Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine." Torch Trinity Graduate University. Retrieved on May 15, 2013. "55 Yangjae-Dong, Sucho-Gu, Seoul 137–889, Korea"
  17. ^ "Home Archived 22 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine" (English). French School of Seoul. Retrieved on 22 May 2014. "Seocho-Gu, Banpo-4-dong, 98-3 Séoul Corée"
  18. ^ a b "Seocho Education". Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Seocho-gu". Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  20. ^ a b c "Greetings". Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Greetings | About SAC | About". Seoul Arts Center (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Chronology". Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Collection Statistics". Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  24. ^ a b "History | Intro/Participation | National Gugak Center". www.gugak.go.kr. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  25. ^ "아직도 안 가봤어?"...요즘 애들은 다 여기서 놀아요 [스물스물]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). 11 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Marshall, Colin (27 May 2015). "Learning from Seoul's Sampoong Department Store disaster – a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 44". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  27. ^ 성수대교·삼풍백화점·세월호…역대 참사 책임자 처벌은. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). 2 November 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  28. ^ a b 안, 홍석 (28 July 2011). "`우면산 산사태' 피해 왜 커졌나". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  29. ^ 우면산 산사태‥형촌마을 '아수라장'. MBC News (in Korean). 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  30. ^ a b Park, Ji-min; Kim, Soo-kyung; Kim, Jin-won; Lee, Se-young; Oh, Ju-bi; Shin, Hyun-ji (8 August 2022). 100년만의 물폭탄… 서울이 잠겼다. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  31. ^ Yang, Yoon-woo (9 August 2022). [영상]"건물주 선견지명"…주차장 침수 막은 강남 빌딩의 '홍수 방어막'. Money Today [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  32. ^ a b Cho, Myung-Rae (2015). "Divided Cosmopolis?". 도시행정학보. 28 (4): 217–244. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  33. ^ a b Lee, Annabelle (30 March 2010). "A petite France in Seoul: Seorae Village". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  34. ^ a b c d 강남구청. 강남구청 외국어 페이지 > 영어 > Tour information > Attractions. 강남구청 | GANGNAM OFFICE (in Korean). Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Sister Cities Program". City of Irvine. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  36. ^ "Firman convenio de hermandad, Cuauhtémoc y alcaldía Coreana de Seocho". Alcaldia de Cuauhtemoc. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  37. ^ 쿠팡 김범석, '만년적자' 회사서 작년 보수만 158억. m.skyedaily.com. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  38. ^ 이세영. Marie Claire Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  39. ^ 김남주(에이핑크). Hanryutimes. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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