Jongno District

---

title: "Jongno District" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["jongno-district", "districts-of-seoul"] description: "District of Seoul, South Korea" topic_path: "general/jongno-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jongno_District" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary District of Seoul, South Korea ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
	name
native_name	종로구
native_name_lang	ko
official_name	{{nobold
settlement_type	Autonomous district
	image_skyline
caption_align	center
border	infobox
total_width	300
perrow	1/2/2/1
color	white
image1	경복궁 전경.jpg
caption1	Gyeongbokgung, with Bugaksan in the background
image2	Gwanghwamun Square 20220806 06.jpg
caption2	Gwanghwamun Square
image_flag	Flag of Jongno, Seoul.svg
flag_alt	Flag of Jongno
image_seal	Jongno-Logo-New.gif
motto
image_map	Seoul Jongno-gu.svg
map_caption	Location of Jongno District in Seoul
pushpin_label_position
pushpin_map_caption
coordinates
coor_pinpoint
coordinates_footnotes	tags --
	subdivision_type
subdivision_name	South Korea
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	Sudogwon
subdivision_type2	Special City
subdivision_name2	Seoul
subdivision_type3	Administrative dong
subdivision_name3	19
	established_title
named_for
seat_type
seat
government_footnotes	tags --
leader_party	People Power
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name	Chung Moon-heon
	total_type
unit_pref
	area_magnitude
area_footnotes	tags --
area_total_km2	23.92
area_total_sq_mi
area_note
elevation_footnotes	tags --
elevation_ft
population_total	138,879
population_as_of	September 2024
population_density_km2	auto
population_demonym
population_note
timezone1	Korea Standard Time
utc_offset1	+9
utc_offset1_DST
postal_code_type	Postal code
postal_code	03000~03299
area_code_type	Area code
area_code	02-300,700
	website
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	11
mapframe-point	none
leader_title1	MNA
leader_name1	Choi Jae-hyung (People Power)
governing_body	Jongno-gu Council
::

| name = Jongno | native_name = 종로구 | native_name_lang = ko | official_name = {{nobold|종로구 · 鐘路區}} | settlement_type = Autonomous district | image_skyline = {{multiple image | caption_align = center | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | perrow = 1/2/2/1 | color = white | image1 = 경복궁 전경.jpg | caption1 = Gyeongbokgung, with Bugaksan in the background | image2 = Gwanghwamun Square 20220806 06.jpg | caption2 = Gwanghwamun Square | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_flag = Flag of Jongno, Seoul.svg | flag_alt = Flag of Jongno | image_seal = Jongno-Logo-New.gif | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | image_blank_emblem = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Seoul Jongno-gu.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Jongno District in Seoul | image_dot_map = | dot_mapsize = | dot_map_base_alt = | dot_map_alt = | dot_map_caption = | dot_x = | dot_y = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = tags -- | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = South Korea | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Sudogwon | subdivision_type2 = Special City | subdivision_name2 = Seoul | subdivision_type3 = Administrative dong | subdivision_name3 = 19 | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = tags -- | leader_party = People Power | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Chung Moon-heon | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = tags -- | area_total_km2 = 23.92 | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_km2 = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 138,879 | population_as_of = September 2024 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = Korea Standard Time | utc_offset1 = +9 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 03000~03299 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 02-300,700 | website = Jongno District official website | footnotes = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-point = none | leader_title1 = MNA | leader_name1 = Choi Jae-hyung (People Power) | governing_body = Jongno-gu Council

thumb|upright=1|[[Bosingak]] bell pavilion

Jongno District () is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. It is the historic center of Seoul that contains Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and the Blue House, the former presidential residence. Jongno District has a high concentration of historical sites, many dating back to the Goryeo period. Places like Sungkyunkwan, Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Dongdaemun are all located within the area of the district.

Etymology

In Korean, the name 'Jongno' means Bell Street. The Jongno District is named after the Jongno Road, which is a major trunk road running through the center of the district. The bell in question refers to Bosingak belfry, which sits at Jonggak intersection, on Jongno Road.

Description

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/서울특별시_전경_사진_사본_-1S6O5492.jpg" caption="[[Gwanghwamun Plaza"] ::

Jongno has been the center of the city for 600 years since it was where the Joseon dynasty established its capital. The district is commonly referred to as the face and heart of Korea because of its important roles in politics, economics, culture, and history as the capital city. The district is home to palaces in which the kings used to reside and work, such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Unhyeongung. The South Korean president's former residence, the Blue House, is also located in the Jongno District.

Jongno is a popular tourist destination with attractions that include the restored Cheonggyecheon stream, the traditional neighborhood of Insa-dong, the Confucian Jongmyo shrine, and Jogyesa, the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The district is also home to the Gwanghwamun Plaza which includes the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and a statue of King Sejong. The district has a number of museums including Art Center Nabi and Gahoe Museum and is home to the main campuses of Sungkyunkwan University and Baewha Women's University.

History

Hanyang

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Donggwol-do.jpg" caption="Donggwoldo, the landscape painting depicting the two royal palaces in Jongno."] ::

Jongno was historically the center of Joseon and, later, the Korean Empire. It retained its prominence in the modern era after the establishment of South Korea. Hanyang, the capital of Joseon, included Jongno and the Jung District. In October 1394, King Taejo moved his capital from Gaegyeong to Hanyang. The capital of Goryeo, Gaegyeong, had a strong base of traditional forces against King Taejo. In addition, the topography divination theory states that the new dynasty was unlucky due to its failure, and that it also moved to Hanyang with regard to water transport of rice and military geographical conditions. Following the relocation of the capital city, the Joseon government pushed for the construction of Hanyang, starting with the construction of Jongmyo, Gyeongbokgung, and Changdeokgung. In 1395, it was renamed as Hanyang Department. In 1399, the first year of King Jeongjong's reign, the capital was moved to Gagyeong as a result of the Prince's rebellion. In 1405, the fifth year of King Taejong's reign, the capital was changed back to Hanyang. By King Sejong's time, the city grew into a large city with about 200,000 people.

Economy

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Jongno,_Seoul.jpg" caption="Jongno business district"] ::

As the traditional heart of Seoul, Jongno's central location continues to attract both local and foreign businesses and remains an important business district. Notable companies based in Jongno include Kumho Asiana Group, Kyobo Life, Lotte Group, SK Group, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Daewoo E&C, Daelim Group, and East Asia Daily. The district also features numerous major business centers and office buildings as well as diplomatic missions.

The head office of Air Seoul is in the Kumho Asiana Main Tower on Sinmunno 1-ga.

Culture and tourism

Tourism plays a major role in Jongno's economy. Several of the most well-known attractions are located in the district, as is Gwanghwamun Plaza which attracts huge numbers of tourists every year given its central location. In addition, the tourist areas of Insa-Dong and Bukchon Hanok Village also attract huge numbers of visitors. Another popular tourist destination is Gwangjang Market, previously called Dongdaemun Market. It is one of the oldest traditional markets in the country and is visited by approximately 65,000 each day.

Politics and government

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Central_Government_Building_Seoul.jpg" caption="Central Government Complex]] main building."] ::

Jongno is considered the most important district in South Korean politics as it is located in the heart of Seoul, and thus in the heart of South Korea. The district was the home to the Blue House (ko), the official residence of the president of South Korea, until 2022. It is also home to two of the three largest plazas in Seoul, the first being Gwanghwamun Plaza and the other being Cheonggye Plaza, making the district the first constituency to appear in the National Election Commission's election statistics and exit polls for every nationwide election. Because of the district's political significance, every political party carefully selects its own candidate to run in every election and even most minor parties nominate their candidates to run in the district while they choose not to nominate candidates for other constituencies in Seoul.

Jongno has elected three presidents to represent it in the National Assembly: Yun Posun, Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak. Although Jongno is a district, its residents are entitled to elect their own mayor and form their own district council, as 25 districts in Seoul——including Jongno——have city-equivalent status. The City of Seoul has province-equivalent status and its mayor is regarded as a cabinet-minister-level position. The mayorship is regarded as a higher position than all other provincial governors as these positions are regarded as deputy minister level positions.

The district has been traditionally regarded as a conservative stronghold in Seoul as Seoul natives and wealthy people used to form a majority in terms of resident numbers in towns such as Pyeongchang, Samcheong-dong, Sajik-dong, Jongro 1, and Jongro 4. However, as Democrats began to gradually gain power in the Sudogwon region in the 2010s and eventually made the region their stronghold, the party also gained power in the district due to the votes of Sungkyunkwan University students in Hyehwa-dong and residents of relatively lower income in towns such as Changsin-dong and Sungin-dong.

As of June 2020, the district was regarded as Democratic stronghold, as are many other constituencies in Seoul. The district was represented by Lee Nak-yon, a Democrat, former Prime Minister and leader of his party, who resigned his office to run for the Korean presidency; the city government was led by Kim Yeong-jong, a Democrat three-term mayor who served from July 2010 to November 2021.

The conservative People Power Party made a comeback in the district when Choi Jae-hyung was elected as National Assembly member for Jongno in the March 2022 by-elections. In the subsequent local elections in June, Chung Moon-heon, a member of the same party, was elected mayor.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Das_Blaue_Haus_(1).JPG" caption="Cheongwadae"] ::

The headquarters of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration is located in the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno District. The third and fourth floors of the same building house the Ministry of Unification.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located in the MOFA Building in Jongno District.

Previously, the Ministry of Education had its headquarters in the Central Government Complex in Jongno District. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also had its headquarters in Jongno District. The Ministry of Health and Welfare had its headquarters in the Hyundai Building. The offices of those ministries have moved to Sejong City. Before it merged into another ministry in 2008, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries was also located in Jongro-gu. It was re-established in Sejong City.

Diplomatic missions

Being at the center of the city, the district hosts the following foreign embassies.

• Australia
• Austria
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Colombia
• Czech Republic
• Equador
• Finland
• Holy See
• Honduras
• Ireland
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• Marshall Islands
• Mexico
• Oman
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• Portugal
• Switzerland
• United States
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

District Council

The District Council serves administrative functions such as Foreign Seal Registration, International Marriage, Adoption, Acknowledgement reports and Alien Registration Certificates for foreigners residing in Jongno District. In 2022, the current mayor is .

Subdivisions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/01-01-jongno-en.svg" caption="Administrative divisions"] ::

Those are some of the district administrative dongs (). For a complete list, see here. ::data[format=table]

::

Attractions

| title = Attractions in Jongno District | align = center | footer = | style = | state = | height = 180 | width = | File: 서울특별시 전경 사진 사본 -서울2.jpg | alt1= Gwanghwamun, with Sejong Arts Center the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the center, and Gyeongbokgung and Bukhansan to the right. | Gwanghwamun, with Sejong Arts Center the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the center, and Gyeongbokgung and Bukhansan to the right. | File: 인경궁 터.jpg | alt2= View of the city from Inwangsan | View of the city from Inwangsan | File: 역사속으로.jpg | alt3= Gyeongbokgung at night. | Gyeongbokgung at night. | File: Bosingak, Seoul.jpg | alt4= Bosingak Belfry, located at Jonggak intersection. | Bosingak Belfry, located at Jonggak intersection. | File: Blue House, Seoul (cropped).jpg | alt5= Cheong Wa Dae the residence of the president of the Republic of Korea. |The Blue House, the former residence of the president}}

Education

• Universities
  • Catholic University of Korea, Songsin Campus (Private)
  • Sangmyung University (Private)
  • Sungkyunkwan University (Private)
  • Seoul National University, Yeongeon Campus (Public)
  • University of North Korean Studies (Private)
• High schools
  • Kyungbock High School (Public)
  • Seoul Arts High School (Private)
  • Seoul Science High School (Public)
• International schools
  • Lycée International Xavier (Private) : Available for both elementary and secondary education.
  • Seoul Global High School (Public)

Sister cities

• China From 1995, Dongcheng District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
• Mongolia From 1996, Sükhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• US From 1999, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
• Mexico From 2013, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
• Czech From 2015, Prague 1 Municipal District, Czech Republic

References

References

1. (2024). "Population statistics".
2. "Welcome To Jongno".
3. "Bosingak Belfry (보신각터)".
4. "About Jongno-gu". Jongno-gu Official website.
5. (3 August 2009). "Popular plaza". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
6. Hoh, Kui-Seek. (3 August 2009). "The road less travelled, by cars". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
7. (2 August 2009). "Gwanghwamun Plaza: Let's Try to Turn New Place Into National Symbol". [[The Korea Times]].
8. link
9. [https://flyairseoul.com/CW/en/cabin.do Home]. Air Seoul. Retrieved on 1 November 2016. "Kumho Asiana Main Tower,76, SaemunanRo Jongro Gu Seoul" – [https://flyairseoul.com/CW/ko/main.do Korean address]: "(우)03185 서울특별시 종로구 새문안로 76 금호아시아나 본관"
10. (14 February 2013). "Gwangjang Market: Seoul's quirky foodie paradise".
11. (21 July 2012). "Taste of Humanism in the 107-Year-Old Memories of Gwangjang Market". [[The Hankyoreh]].
12. "Welcome To Jongno".
13. (9 February 2020). "[Newsmaker] Jongno race bellwether of presidential election".
14. (15 November 2011). "Seoul mayor Park Won-soon shakes up S Korean politics". BBC News.
15. (16 April 2020). "(3rd LD) Ex-PM Lee wins against main rival Hwang in Seoul's Jongno".
16. "[http://www.mospa.go.kr/eng/sub/a02/location/screen.do Location]." ([https://archive.today/20140101121639/http://www.mospa.go.kr/eng/sub/a02/location/screen.do Archive]) [[Ministry of Security and Public Administration]]. Retrieved on 1 January 2013. "209 Sejong-daero(Sejong-ro), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea"
17. "[http://eng.unikorea.go.kr/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000205005000000 Location & Contact Info]." ([https://archive.today/20140101124205/http://eng.unikorea.go.kr/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000205005000000 Archive]) [[Ministry of Unification]]. Retrieved on 1 January 2013. "Ministry of Unification Address: Government Complex – Seoul, 209 Sejong-daero(Sejong-ro). Jongno-gu, Republic of Korea"
18. "[http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/ministry/location/index.jsp?menu=m_50_90 Location]." ([https://archive.today/20140101115351/http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/ministry/location/index.jsp?menu=m_50_90 Archive]) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (South Korea). Retrieved on 1 January 2014. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 60, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea (110–787)"
19. "[http://www.globe.gov/web/korea-south/contact-info Contact Info] {{webarchive. link. (2014-01-01." ([https://archive.today/20140101113036/http://www.globe.gov/web/korea-south/contact-info Archive]) [[The Globe Program]]. Retrieved on 1 January 2013. "Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development Central Government Complex, 77-6 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu Seoul, 110–760 South Korea")
20. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120423114717/http://www.mcst.go.kr/english/aboutus/location.jsp Location]." ([https://archive.today/20120423114717/http://www.mcst.go.kr/english/aboutus/location.jsp Archive]) [[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (South Korea). Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]]. 23 April 2012. Retrieved on 1 January 2014. "Address: 215 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110–360 Korea"
21. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20130404140720/http://english.mw.go.kr/front_eng/sg/ssg0107mn.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=1001&MENU_ID=100107 Location]." ([https://archive.today/20130404140720/http://english.mw.go.kr/front_eng/sg/ssg0107mn.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=1001&MENU_ID=100107 Archive]) Ministry of Health and Welfare. Retrieved on 1 January 2014. "Ministry of Health & Welfare Hyundai Building 6~12 F" and "Ministry of Health & Welfare (MW): 75 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-793, call center 129"
22. "Home (Archive.org)".
23. link. 외교부. ()
24. link
25. "Welcome To Jongno".
26. "Seoul National University Yeongeon Campus". [[Seoul National University]] College of Medicine.
27. "[http://www.xavier.sc.kr/wp/english/?page_id=4496 Contact]." [[Lycée International Xavier]]. Retrieved on 22 May 2014. "23, BIBONG-GIL (151, GUGI-DONG), JONGNO-GU, 110-804 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA" – [http://xavier.sc.kr/wp/?page_id=4778 Address in Korean]: "서울특별시 종로구 비봉길 23 (구기동 151) (우)110-804"
28. link. Governors association of Korea
29. link. Governors association of Korea
30. link. Governors association of Korea
31. link. Governors association of Korea
32. link. Governors association of Korea

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