Districts of Seoul Special Metropolitan City 서울특별시의 행정 구역 | |
|---|---|
 Songpa-gu, Seoul's largest district by population | |
.jpg) Map of the districts of Seoul | |
| Country | South Korea |
| Region | Sudogwon |
| Districts | 25 |
| Subdivisions | 467 |
| Electoral constituencies | 48 |
| Area | |
• Total | 605.21 km2 (233.67 sq mi) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 9,659,322 |
| • Density | 16,000/km2 (41,000/sq mi) |
| Provincial-level subdivisions of |
| South Korea |
|---|
| Provinces |
| Cities |
Thedistricts of Seoul are the twenty-fivegu (districts;Korean: 구;Hanja: 區) comprisingSeoul, South Korea. Thegu vary greatly in area (from 10 to 47 km2) and population (from less than 140,000 to 630,000), fourteen of which are located north of theHan River, and eleven south.Songpa District is the most populated, whileSeocho District has the largest area. Gu are similar toLondon's orNew York'sboroughs orTokyo's23 special wards. Each gu's government handles many of the functions that are handled by city governments in other jurisdictions. This city-like standing is underscored by the fact that each gu has its ownlegislative council,mayor andsister cities. Eachgu is further divided intodong or neighborhoods. Somegu have only a fewdong while others (likeJongno District) have a very large number of distinct neighborhoods. Districts of Seoul form a total of 467 legal-status subdivisions.
Jongno-gu, withDongdaemun famous for its fashion markets, andJung-gu, form the historic and administrative core of the city, housingpalaces, government buildings, cultural sites, and hosting major landmarks like theN Seoul Tower.Yongsan-gu, located just south of central Seoul but still north of the river, is known forItaewon’s international scene. The district also hosts a sizeable amount of the country'sforeign embassies.Seodaemun-gu andMapo-gu are home toYonsei University,Sogang University, andHongdae, a hub of youth culture and nightlife.Eunpyeong-gu,Dobong-gu,Nowon-gu, bordered by theSuraksan andBukhansan mountains to the north, andGangbuk-gu, are in the northernmost part of the city, offering residential areas and access toBukhansan National Park.Seongbuk-gu, home ofKorea University, andJungnang-gu, blend traditional neighborhoods with modern infrastructure.Dongdaemun-gu andSeongdong-gu are growing commercial and residential districts.
Gangnam-gu, one of the most significant districts of Seoul, home to many of thecountry's corporations and businesses,Seocho-gu, the largest district by land area, andSongpa-gu, are among the most affluent areas, with Seocho housing legal institutions, and Songpa featuring major attractions likeLotte World and theLotte World Tower, one of thetallest buildings in the world.Gwangjin-gu, located along the river, is known for its vibrant university district and shopping centers.Geumcheon-gu, in the southwest, is one of the smaller districts of the city, bordered by theAnyangcheon to the west.Yangcheon-gu, home to some of the tallest residential buildings in the city,Gangseo-gu, Seoul's westernmost district, andGuro-gu in the southwest offer a mix of residential and industrial zones, with Gangseo home toGimpo International Airport and Guro being an IT hub.Yeongdeungpo-gu andDongjak-gu are key financial and transportation centers, with Yeongdeungpo hosting major corporate offices and Dongjak known for its universities and military facilities.
At the time ofnational independence in 1945, Seoul was a rapidly growing city, divided into 8 districts (gu) and 268 neighborhoods (dong). In 1949, the city's administrative limits expanded exponentially to 268.353 km², roughly doubling its size from 1945. This was driven by the need to accommodate rapid population growth andurbanization after independence. With the realignments ofsi (cities),do (provinces),gu (districts), andgun (counties), the jurisdiction included 45 ri-districts, such as Sungin-myeon, Dokdo-myeon, Eunpyeong-myeon, and Siheung-gun, and Dong-myeon ofGoyang-si,Gyeonggi Province. Seongbuk-gu was also included in the original eight, bringing a total of nine, asSeoul Metropolitan Government organization continued to advance to address the city's rapid expansion. When the city kept growing, Seoul annexed 5 gun (counties) and 84 ri-districts in 1963, significantly increasing its administrative area. The city's total area was 595.50 km², and the population was 2.59 million.[1]
It grew again in 1973 when Seoul incorporated additional territory, including Gupabal-ri, Jingwannae-ri, and Jingwanoe-ri of Goyang-gun, Gyeonggi-do. It raised the overall area of Seoul to 605.33 km². That year, the administrative districts were once again reorganized, and Gwanak-gu and Dobong-gu were officially declared districts. This increased the number of districts to 11 from 9. As city expansion in Seoul gained momentum, the need for more administrative divisions became more apparent. Gangnam-gu emerged in 1975, increasing the number of districts to 12. The establishment of Gangnam-gu was particularly significant as it marked the beginning of Seoul's expansion south of the Han River, which paved the way for what would become one of the city's most affluent and lively districts. By 1977, another expansion formed Gangseo-gu, increasing the number of districts to 13. This was then followed in 1979 by the establishment of Eunpyeong-gu and Gangdong-gu, increasing the number to 15 districts.[1]
The 1980s also saw additional administrative restructuring with the creation of Guro-gu and Dongjak-gu, bringing the total number of districts to 17. Seoul's population had grown to 9.2 million by then, a testament to the city's rapid growth into a metropolis. In 1988, extensive administrative restructuring resulted in the establishment of Songpa-gu, Jungnang-gu, Nowon-gu, Seocho-gu, and Yangcheon-gu. This expansion increased the number of districts from 17 to 22. The late 1980s also witnessed Seoul's growing international stature, since it was scheduled to host the1988 Summer Olympics, which further stimulatedurban development and modernization. The most recent major reorganization took place in 1995 when Gangbuk-gu, Geumcheon-gu, and Gwangjin-gu were added, bringing Seoul to 25 districts.[1]
TheSeoul Metropolitan Council is thelegislative body of Seoul, overseeing the city’s 25 districts. Council members are elected every four years, with most representing specific districts, while 10 others are elected throughproportional representation. The council plays a crucial role inlocal governance, making decisions on policies, budgets, and legislation that impact the city's administration and development. It consists ofstanding committees, special committees, and a secretariat, with a chair and two vice-chairs overseeing operations. Council members hold the right to review and approve policies, manage finances, and address residents' petitions. The Seoul Metropolitan Council is empowered to pass ordinances, approve budgets, and review city policies and affairs. Standing committees focus on specific areas like public safety, housing, and transportation, while special committees address urgent city matters or ethical concerns. The council also plays a role in ensuring transparency and citizen participation, organizingpublic hearings and collecting public opinions on city issues. Members of the Council hold significant power to decide on policy, legislation, residents' complaints, and city affairs related to theSeoul Metropolitan Government and theSeoul Metropolitan Office of Education. They make use of such rights in a wide range of ways, ranging from ordinances, voting, to approval processes. The council can enact, amend, and repeal ordinances, examine and approve budget proposals, approve or disapprove final accounts, and impose and collect local taxes and fees outside the purview of national laws. The council further handles funds, purchases and sells principal properties, installs and removes public installations, and listens to petitions from the people regarding municipal affairs.[3]
The Seoul Metropolitan Council also possesses the power to exercise control over theexecutive branch (the SMG and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education) to monitor and correct its actions. This includes calling for attendance, answers, or opinions from the mayor or superintendent, calling for documents, auditing, and investigating administrative affairs. The council may address petitions that are brought up by citizens or other parties having interests in Seoul, complaining about or requesting improvements in city administration. Petitions may involve affairs such as damage relief, penalty against corrupt officials, promulgation or abolition of laws and regulations, administration of public facilities, and other affairs. The Seoul Metropolitan Council also has the power to select its own rules of procedure, regulate meetings, and construct its organization. It is also empowered to determine the legal status of council members and regulate internal affairs independently. With these responsibilities and rights, the Seoul Metropolitan Council has an extremely crucial role in determining Seoul's administration and growth, where the people may provide their inputs in decisions that affect their daily life and the future of the city.[4][5][6][7]
TheSeoul Metropolitan Government, the executive branch, works alongside the Seoul Metropolitan Council. Themayor of Seoul and the mayors of each district serve four-year terms, withvice mayors and various directors of bureaus, offices, and divisions working under them. The dongs, or neighborhoods, provide direct services to residents within their respective areas. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is directly under the jurisdiction of thePrime Minister, with the Seoul Mayor holding a privileged government position and able to report city affairs at cabinet meetings. The status ofcivil servants within the Seoul Metropolitan Government, including key positions such as thedirector general of planning and coordination and the heads of bureaus, was elevated by one tier.[9] The Seoul Metropolitan Government oversees several key locations within its jurisdiction, which serve as the administrative centers for the city's operations. These locations include theSeoul City Hall, which serves as thebase of operations of the local government, Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building, Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building 2, Seoul City Hall Namsan Building, Seoul City Hall Mugyo-dong Building, Seoul City Hall Cheonggyecheonro Building, and the Press Center.[10]
2014 estimate by Seoul Statistics.[11][12][13]
| Flag | Name | Korean | Population | Area | Population density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dobong District | 도봉구;道峰區 | 355,712 | 20.70 km2 | 17184/km2 |
 | Dongdaemun District | 동대문구;東大門區 | 376,319 | 14.21 km2 | 26483/km2 |
 | Dongjak District | 동작구;銅雀區 | 419,261 | 16.35 km2 | 25643/km2 |
 | Eunpyeong District | 은평구;恩平區 | 503,243 | 29.70 km2 | 16944/km2 |
 | Gangbuk District | 강북구;江北區 | 338,410 | 23.60 km2 | 14339/km2 |
 | Gangdong District | 강동구;江東區 | 481,332 | 24.59 km2 | 19574/km2 |
 | Gangnam District | 강남구;江南區 | 583,446 | 39.50 km2 | 14771/km2 |
 | Gangseo District | 강서구;江西區 | 591,653 | 41.43 km2 | 14281/km2 |
 | Geumcheon District | 금천구;衿川區 | 258,030 | 13.02 km2 | 19818/km2 |
 | Guro District | 구로구;九老區 | 457,131 | 20.12 km2 | 22720/km2 |
 | Gwanak District | 관악구;冠岳區 | 531,960 | 29.57 km2 | 17990/km2 |
 | Gwangjin District | 광진구;廣津區 | 377,375 | 17.06 km2 | 22120/km2 |
 | Jongno District | 종로구;鍾路區 | 165,344 | 23.91 km2 | 6915/km2 |
 | Jung District | 중구;中區 | 136,227 | 9.96 km2 | 13677/km2 |
 | Jungnang District | 중랑구;中浪區 | 423,411 | 18.50 km2 | 22887/km2 |
 | Mapo District | 마포구;麻浦區 | 395,830 | 23.84 km2 | 16604/km2 |
 | Nowon District | 노원구;蘆原區 | 586,056 | 35.44 km2 | 16536/km2 |
 | Seocho District | 서초구;瑞草區 | 454,288 | 47.00 km2 | 9666/km2 |
 | Seodaemun District | 서대문구;西大門區 | 320,861 | 17.61 km2 | 18220/km2 |
 | Seongbuk District | 성북구;城北區 | 475,961 | 24.58 km2 | 19364/km2 |
 | Seongdong District | 성동구;城東區 | 303,891 | 16.86 km2 | 19364/km2 |
 | Songpa District | 송파구;松坡區 | 671,794 | 33.88 km2 | 19829/km2 |
 | Yangcheon District | 양천구;陽川區 | 490,708 | 17.40 km2 | 28202/km2 |
 | Yeongdeungpo District | 영등포구;永登浦區 | 421,436 | 24.53 km2 | 17180/km2 |
 | Yongsan District | 용산구;龍山區 | 249,914 | 21.87 km2 | 11427/km2 |
| Seoul | 서울 | 10,369,593 | 605.21 km2 | 17134/km2 | |
| Districts |
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| Business districts | ||||||
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