Gangseo District, Seoul


Gangseo District is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. It is located on the south side of the Han River. South Korea's third busiest airport, Gimpo International Airport, is located in Gonghang-dong, where many flights fly to cities like Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju. The Magok Industrial Complex, located in Magok-dong, is a major hub for research and development, housing numerous R&D centers and corporate headquarters.
WWW gangseo.seoul.kr

History

Origins

The earliest recorded name of the area was Jechapa-ui, which appears in the Samguk Sagi under the Goguryeo section. Jecha is derived from Jegye, meaning ritual or sacrifice, while Pa-ui is an ancient word meaning “rock.” Together, the name means “rock for offering rituals.” During the Hanseong Baekje period, the Baekje king conducted rituals inside a cave at Heogabawi Rock, praying to the land gods for prosperity. This led to the name Jechapa-ui being used for the area.

Three Kingdoms Period

During the Three Kingdoms period, the Gangseo region was occupied by both Baekje and Goguryeo. It consisted of five prefectures: Geompo-hyeon, Jechapa-ui-pyeonghoepa, Dongjahol, and Suihol-hyeon.

Unified Silla Period

In 757, during the Unified Silla period, King Gyeongdeok renamed Geompo to Gimpo-hyeon, making it a subordinate prefecture of Jangje-gun.

Goryo Dynasty

In 1018, under King Hyeonjong of Goryeo, the region became part of Yanggwang-do and was placed under Sujoo. In 1391, during King Gongyang’s reign, Gyeonggi Province was divided into left and right regions, with all prefectures except Yangcheon-hyeon incorporated into Gyeonggi Right Province.

Joseon Dynasty

In 1414, under King Taejong, Gimpo and Yangcheon were merged into Geumyang-hyeon. However, in October of that year, the two regions were separated again, with Gimpo incorporated into Bupyeong-bu. In 1416, Gimpo regained its status as an independent prefecture. In 1632, during King Injo’s reign, Gimpo was elevated to county status.

19th and 20th centuries

By 1895, during King Gojong’s 32nd year, Korea was reorganized into 23 districts, and Gimpo, Tongjin, and Yangcheon became separate counties. The present-day Gangseo District was historically part of Gimpo County and the northernmost section of present-day Bucheon.

Geography

Location

This area is part of the Gimpo Plain, located along the banks of the Han River. The underlying bedrock consists of Precambrian granite gneiss and banded gneiss, which have been eroded over a long period, forming hilly terrain. The northern region along the Han River is a floodplain with thick sedimentary deposits, historically utilized as fertile farmland through the construction of embankments.
Several low residual hills remain in the hilly areas, including Gaehwa Mountain, Maebong Mountain, Ujang Mountain, Gung Mountain, and Kkachi Mountain. These hills are surrounded by expansive gentle slopes. Additionally, the area is home to streams such as Gayangcheon and Banghwacheon, which flow northward into the Han River. Notably, Banghwacheon features an irrigation channel that takes advantage of the Han River’s reverse flow effect.

Climate

Gangseo District experiences an average annual temperature of 13.3°C, with a January average of 0.4°C and an August average of 26.5°C. The annual precipitation is approximately 1,212.3 mm.

River and Streams

Neighbouring cities and districts

Administrative divisions

Economy

Aviation Industry

Owing to the presence of Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo District, several major aviation companies and related services maintain their headquarters or primary offices in the district. Korea Airports Corporation, which manages Gimpo and other airports in South Korea, has its headquarters on the property of Gimpo International Airport in Gonghang-dong.  Korean Air’s corporate headquarters are also located in Gonghang-dong near Gimpo Airport.  Korean Airport Service, Ltd. and Air Total Service are based in the same neighbourhood.  Asiana Airlines maintains its headquarters — known as Asiana Town — in Osoe-dong.  Jin Air, a low-cost subsidiary of Korean Air, lists its office presence in Deungchon-dong. Eastar Jet, a South Korean low-cost carrier, is headquartered in Banghwa-dong.

Retail

Traditional markets
Department stores and shopping complexes
Major retail and commercial areas

Government and infrastructure

The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board FDR/CVR Analysis and Wreckage Laboratory is on the property of Gimpo International Airport in Gwahae-dong, Gangseo District. Previously the ARAIB had its headquarters in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo District. The ARAIB headquarters are now in Sejong City.

Attractions

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  • One Grove

Transportation

Railway

  • Airport Railroad Co., Ltd.
;*AREX
;;; ← Gimpo Airport →,
;*Seoul Subway Line 2 Sinjeong Branch
;;; ← Kkachisan
;*Seoul Subway Line 5
;;;Banghwa — Gaehwasan — Gimpo Airport — Magok — Balsan — Ujangsan — Hwagok — Kkachisan →
  • Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation
;*Seoul Subway Line 9
;;;Gaehwa — Gimpo Airport — Airport Market — Sinbanghwa — Magongnaru — Yangcheon Hyanggyo — Gayang — Jeungmi — Deungchon — Yeomchang →

Notable people

Education

University

Gangseo District is home to several higher education institutions, including Korea Polytechnic University’s Gangseo Campus, Seoul Digital University’s Gangseo Campus, Gangseo University, and a campus of Ewha Womans University College of Medicine.