Yeouido-dong - Seoul’s Manhattan

Discover the rich history of Seoul’s own Manhattan, Yeouido-dong. Located in the heart of Seoul, this island in the Han river boasts a captivating skyline formed by towering skyscrapers.

 

But, it wasn’t always this way. In the 1970s, the island was just a patch of farmland with goats and sheep. The story even goes that “Yeouido” means “useless.” However, today it’s one of the richest neighborhoods in Seoul and the main financial and political district of South Korea. Now it’s one of the richest neighborhoods in Seoul. You can easily add Yeouido to the list of Gangnam, Socheo, and Hannam.

The island’s transformation began with the construction of the National Assembly, a grand square building with a striking dome. The lawmakers imposed height restrictions on the buildings – for security reasons – ensuring that they wouldn’t be higher than the National Assembly. This decision led to the west flank of Yeouido having lower buildings, while the east side is home to all the skyscrapers. It gives an intriguing contrast. Some people believe that hidden in the dome is a robot that only comes out when the assembly is under attack. With North Korea luring the dark, this story gives that flinch of mystery to Yeouido. I wish it was true!

Interestingly, Yeouido was once Seoul’s main airport, constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army. But, during the rainy season, the area would flood, making the airport unusable. When Gimpo took over as the main airport, the former Yeouido Airport became Peace Square or May 15 Square. The day Park Chung-hee executed a successful coup d’etat. Later the park changed its name to Yeouido Park. It reminds me a lot of Central Park in New York.