Jung District, situated at the very center of Seoul's historical, cultural, and commercial landscape, serves as an unavoidable destination for visitors to South Korea's capital city. District Chief Kim Kil-sung revealed that over 80 percent of foreign tourists visiting Korea make their way to Seoul, with more than 70 percent of them exploring the district's famous landmarks including Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, and Mount Nam.
Rather than simply relying on its established reputation, Jung District is actively working to enhance the experience for international visitors. The district has ambitious plans to transform Myeong-dong, one of Seoul's most recognizable tourist destinations, by installing sophisticated media poles throughout the area. These smart street pillars will be equipped with emergency alert systems and digital displays that provide real-time information about weather conditions, air quality levels, and upcoming local events.
"Myeong-dong's combination of wide boulevards, narrow side streets, and diverse architectural styles makes it an ideal place for pedestrian exploration," Kim explained during his interview. "This unique urban environment allows visitors to become completely absorbed in large-scale visual content." The district plans to build upon these natural advantages by adding outdoor digital billboards similar to those found in New York's Times Square, while also creating comfortable plaza spaces where tourists can relax and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
However, Myeong-dong represents just one facet of Jung District's appeal, as the area boasts more than 630 years of documented history. Visitors can take leisurely walks along Jeongdong-gil, a historic street featuring well-preserved red brick buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries that tell the story of Korea's modern historical development. Food enthusiasts can venture into Sindang-dong, a neighborhood celebrated for its authentic and fiery tteokbokki, a popular Korean dish of stir-fried rice cakes in spicy sauce.
"Many tourists used to depart from Jung District without fully experiencing the wide variety of attractions available to them, instead concentrating only on areas with high concentrations of hotels and shopping centers," Kim noted with concern. "It was disappointing to witness visitors missing out on the district's rich and diverse cultural offerings." To address this issue, the district launched the innovative Jung-gu Tour Pass in April, a mobile-based pass system that provides free or discounted access to participating attractions, cafes, restaurants, and other venues throughout the district for a specified time period.
The tour pass program has shown promising results since its introduction, with approximately 2,100 passes sold during the first five months of operation. The pass is available to both Korean citizens and foreign visitors, with international tourists able to access up to 22 complimentary services within a 36-hour window, encouraging them to explore different neighborhoods and attractions across Jung District.
As part of its strategy to diversify cultural content and attractions, Jung District is also emphasizing its historical connection to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the legendary 16th-century naval commander who achieved decisive victories against Japanese forces during the Imjin War. The district, which proudly claims to be Yi's birthplace, has designated a 766-meter stretch from Namsangol Hanok Village to the Euljiro 3-ga intersection as Yi Sun-sin Road. Currently, the district is hosting a week-long celebration in honor of the admiral, culminating with the 2025 Yi Sun-sin Festival on Saturday, which will feature traditional archery competitions, community walking events, and special film screenings.
Jung District's commitment to international residents is equally impressive, as it houses approximately 10,000 foreign residents who represent 8.8 percent of the total population – the highest proportion among Seoul's 25 administrative districts. In January, the district achieved a milestone by becoming the first in the city to establish a dedicated team specifically focused on supporting the needs of foreign residents.
"More than half of our foreign residents have made Jung District their home for over five years, so we decided it was time to consolidate the various support programs that were previously managed by different departments into a single, comprehensive and coordinated plan," Kim explained. In August, the district took another significant step by appointing 42 honorary community leaders to improve engagement with foreign residents. These leaders, representing diverse countries including China, Vietnam, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, were carefully selected from long-term residents who have lived in Korea for more than three years or have established families in the country.
These community leaders will serve as vital bridges between the district office and foreign residents, helping to shape community policies that affect international residents and sharing important local information with their respective communities. "Our goal is to transform Jung District into a place where Korean citizens and foreign residents can flourish together by helping international residents develop a genuine sense of belonging within the community," Kim emphasized. "To achieve this vision, we are developing customized programs that address their specific needs while simultaneously helping them understand local customs, norms, and values so they can build positive relationships with Korean neighbors and integrate successfully into the community."
