Seongbuk 성북구 | |
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| 성북구 · 城北區 | |
 Flag | |
 Location of Seongbuk District inSeoul | |
| Coordinates:37°35′21″N127°01′06″E / 37.58917°N 127.01833°E /37.58917; 127.01833 | |
| Country | South Korea |
| Region | Sudogwon |
| Special City | Seoul |
| Administrative dong | 30 |
| Government | |
| • Body | Seongbuk-gu Council |
| • Mayor | Lee Seung-ro (Democratic) |
| • MNAs | List of MNAs |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.57 km2 (9.49 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025[1]) | |
• Total | 424,030 |
| • Density | 17,260/km2 (44,700/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time) |
| Postal code | 02700~02999 |
| Area code | 02-700,900 |
| Website | Seongbuk District official website |
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Seongbuk District (Korean: 성북구;RR: Seongbuk-gu) is one of the25 districts ofSeoul, South Korea. The district is located in the mid-north part of the city.[2] The current mayor is Lee Seung-ro, who has been mayor since July 2018. Seongbuk District was established under Presidential Decree No. 159 on August 13, 1949 (including some areas ofDongdaemun District and some areas of Sungin-myeon,Goyang-gun), and was promoted to an autonomous district by implementing a Gu-level local government on May 1, 1988.
The name Seongbuk derives from the Korean term meaning "the north of the capital city," which originally referred to the area situated to the north of the city walls of Hanyang, the former name of Seoul. The designation is believed to have originated during theJoseon Dynasty, a period when the region's location relative to the capital's fortifications gave rise to the name. Over time, the geographical reference to the northern part of the capital has endured, and today is used as the official name of Seongbuk District.[3] Although the district's name changed over the years, Seongbuk was officially adopted as the name in 1949.
Archaeological excavations have not uncovered any prehistoric artifacts or relics in Seongbuk District. However, the area features a typicalbaesanimsu geographical structure, withBukhansan andBugaksan mountains to the northwest and streams such as Jeongneungcheon and Seongbukcheon flowing from the valleys of these mountains. Given this natural environment, it is presumed that people may have settled and lived in the region. During theThree Kingdoms period, theGoguryeo,Baekje, andSilla dynasties engaged in continuous territorial conflicts over theHan River basin. It is likely that the Seongbuk District area also experienced shifts in ruling powers during this period. AfterSilla unified the Korean Peninsula, the region, including present-day Seoul, was incorporated into Hansanju, one of the administrative districts of Silla. During the reign ofKing Gyeongdeok, Hansanju was renamed Hanju, and the area was designated as Hanyang-gun, placing Seongbuk District under Hanju's jurisdiction. In 1967, inSamyang-dong, an area adjacent to Seongbuk District and now part ofGangbuk District, the Gilt-bronze StandingAvalokitesvaraBodhisattva of Samyang-dong, Seoul (National Treasure No. 127) was discovered. The statue is believed to date back to the early 7th century, and is attributed to Silla.[4][5]
Following the establishment ofGoryeo byTaejo of Goryeo in 918, the area encompassing present-day Seongbuk District was referred to as Yangju until the reign ofKing Jeongjong (r. 1035–1046). From the reign ofKing Munjong (r. 1046–1083) until the reign ofKing Chungnyeol (r. 1275–1308), the region was designated as Namgyeong. AfterKing Chungseon (r. 1308–1313), and throughout the late Goryeo period, it was referred to as Hanyang-bu. A major transportation route connecting the Goryeo capital,Gaegyeong, withNamgyeong (modern-day Seoul) passed through Seongbuk District. The route is believed to have followed the modern-day road connectingMiasageori,Korea University,Sinseol-dong, andDongdaemun. Several Buddhist relics and temples from the Goryeo period remain along the route, including the Rock-carved Seated Buddha of Botasa Temple, Bomunsa Temple, and Mita Temple. as well as the Gyeongguksa Temple, established in the late Goryeo period, located inJeongneung-dong.[5]
During theJoseon Dynasty, the Seongbuk District area was part of the Seongjeo Ship-ri, located outside the city walls of Hanseong (modern-day Seoul). In the late Joseon period, the region fell under the jurisdiction of Sungsin-bang and Inchang-bang. The name "Seongbuk" reflects the meaning "the north of the capital city," referring to the area located to the north of the city walls of Hanyang (modern-day Seoul). This name has persisted into modern times. In the 1840 map of Hanyang, Suseon Jeondo, the term "Seongbuk-dong" appears, marking the area. The southern foothills of Bukhansan, which are now part of Seongbuk District, were heavily forested, so much so that wild tigers once roamed the area, prompting the king to lead hunting expeditions to the region. During the Joseon Dynasty, the area now known as Seongbuk was a significant gateway to the northeast of Seoul. The main route connecting Seoul toGangwon-do and ultimately to Hamgyeong-do passed through the region. This road served as an important trade route, linking merchants and facilitating the exchange of goods, such as daily necessities from Hanyang and various marine products fromHamgyeong-do.[6][5][7]
In the late Joseon period, the military unitEoyeongcheong established a northern garrison (Bukdun) in Seongbuk-dong to protect the city. Soldiers and civilians were tasked with cultivating the land, although the area's poor soil and limited arable land posed challenges. To sustain the population and support the military, the government established systems like the Pobaek and Hunjo industries. These involved the production of unbleached hemp andraw cloth, as well as the preparation offermented soybeans to supply theroyal court.[5]
Seongbuk, which had been located outside the city walls until the Joseon Dynasty, became part of Gyeongseong (now Seoul) in 1936. In the earlyJapanese colonial era, Seongbuk originally was in Goyang County but later fell under incorporation by Gyeongseong. Between 1914 and 1929, when Seongbuk was not yet part of Gyeongseong, a communal cemetery was established in the area. Due to poor transportation, the inhabitants ended up burying the dead in places relatively close to cities. In addition, traditional funeral practices, like the decoration of the funeral procession and accompanying the corpse to the cemetery, determined where the cemetery was to be located. The Mia-ri communal cemetery, established during this time, was demolished in the mid-1950s, and the area became home to displaced individuals and the poor. The Japanese colonial administration in 1937 began implementing land-redistribution programs in the Donam district, leading to an increase in the district's population. Although the Japanese government finished the reorganization of the land, it was concerned that the suburbs would remain underdeveloped since there was no interest in settlement. To fight this, the government conducted wide-ranging propaganda efforts promoting the idea that living in the suburbs would improve one's living standards, whereas urban life would lead to poverty. This resulted in the construction of what became known as "Joseon-style houses" or urban hanok, which was a blend of traditional Korean architecture and Western-style housing.[5]
As the Donam district expanded into a residential area, the majority of the early residents, who were often poorer families, were relegated to the fringes of the district, namely in the areas around Jeongneung-ri and the Jeongneungcheon stream. Displaced families established temporary settlements referred to as "Tommok-chon" (shantytowns), in which disaster victims built simple houses along riverbanks, embankments, and underneath bridges. With more and more displaced people moving there, the government of Japan formally declared Jeongneung-ri a place for resettling them. It was subsequently leveled in around 1942 when the Japanese army, suffering labor shortages in the middle of World War II, relocated these people toHokkaido and elsewhere by force. When more people moved to Seongbuk, educational institutions began opening in the area. In the mid-1930s, several schools including Boseong College, which would go on to become Korea University, Gyeongseong Commercial High School, and a few Japanese residents' schools were built. The schools played an important role in the educational history of the district and in establishing the presence of different universities in the area of Seongbuk today. Public transportation such as buses and trams began operating n the district. In 1941, a tram station had been established inDonam-dong near Mia-ri and the city gate to the east.[5]
Seongbuk District officially adopted its current name in 1949, following the end of Japanese colonial rule and theliberation of Korea. At that time, several neighborhoods from different districts were merged to form Seongbuk, including Donam-dong andAnam-dong fromDongdaemun District,Seongbuk-dong fromJongno District, and various areas that were previously part ofGyeonggi Province, such as Seokgwan-ri, Jangwi-ri, Uiwang-ri, Suyu-ri, Sangwolgok-ri, Hahwolgok-ri, Mia-ri, and Jeongneung-ri. As the population continued to grow, several administrative changes occurred. In 1973, some neighborhoods north of Mia-ri and Mia-ri itself were transferred toDobong District. In 1975, portions ofSeokgwan-dong,Jongam-dong, and Anam-dong were incorporated into Dongdaemun District, while parts of Jeongneung-dong andHawolgok-dong were assigned to Dobong District. Conversely, the neighborhood ofBomun-dong, previously part of Dongdaemun District, was reallocated to Seongbuk In the post-Korean War period, Seongbuk District underwent immense change, particularly in its population. The population of Seongbuk grew at a very high level compared to the rest of Seoul from 1953 through to the early 1970s. As the population grew, the demand for housing increased. Many neighborhoods in Seongbuk, such as those with names derived from the Chinese character ‘암’ (meaning ‘rock’ or ‘stone’), required significant land reclamation to build residential areas. During the post-colonial era, many of the urban-style hanok (traditional Korean houses) built during the Japanese occupation were demolished to make way for modern brick apartment buildings.[5][8]
Seongbuk District consists of 20 administrativedongs (haengjeong-dong, 행정동) and 39 legal dongs (beopjeong-dong, 법정동).
Seongbuk-gu is known for housing several prestigious universities. It accommodatesKorea University, which is among South Korea'sSKY top three, with a brilliant reputation for scholarship, particularly in fields such aslaw,business, andinternational studies. The district also hostsKookmin University, which is well-regarded for its programs indesign,engineering, and business,Hansung University, acknowledged as a pioneer in academic-industry collaboration, as well asSungshin Women's University, a leading institution specializing inliberal arts, education, andfashion studies. Seongbuk and nearbySeongdong-gu also hostHanyang University, another top school with highly respected engineering and business courses. The presence of such universities has changed Seongbuk into an active student quarter, with abundant libraries, coffee shops, and cultural centers accommodating academic life.
Seongbuk-gu is home to several historical and cultural landmarks that highlight Seoul's rich heritage. Uireung and Jeongneung are royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty, both part of theUNESCO-listedRoyal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Uireung is the burial site ofKing Gyeongjong, the 20th King of Joseon, as well as his queen consort,Queen Seonui, while Jeongneung houses the tomb ofQueen Sindeok, the second wife ofKing Taejo, who founded the Joseon Dynasty.[9][10] The district is also notable for its connections to Seoul's ancient fortifications. Hanyangdoseong, or theSeoul City Wall, runs through Seongbuk and includes two of its historic gates,Sukjeongmun andHyehwamun. Sukjeongmun, also known as the North Gate, was one of the four main gates of the city wall and played a strategic role in protecting the northern entrance to Seoul. Hyehwamun, originally called Honghwamun, served as one of the four auxiliary gates and remains a well-preserved historical site.
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Seongbuk is known for its cultural and literary heritage. The Manhae Han Yong-un Simujang Residence was the home of Han Yong-un, a prominent independence activist, Buddhist reformer, and poet. Han was among the 33 national representatives who led theMarch First Movement in 1919, a turning point in Korea's struggle againstJapanese colonial rule. He is also famous for his poem collection Silence of Love (Nim-ui Chimmuk). Han lived here from 1933 until his death in 1944, during which time he continued his political and literary activities. The Lee Tae-jun Residence and the Choi Sun-u Residence in Seongbuk-dong, former homes of prominent literary and artistic figures, are also significant. The Choi Sun-u Residence, in particular, was the home of Choi Sunu, a scholar and former director of theNational Museum of Korea. The district is also home toGilsangsa Temple, and theKorea Furniture Museum, which displays approximately 550 pieces of wooden furniture. Gilsangsa is a uniqueBuddhist temple with a modern history. Originally a high-end restaurant, the site was later donated and converted into a temple, which now serves as a place for meditation, spiritual study, and cultural programs. Seongbuk also featuresSamcheonggak, a traditional Korean cultural complex established in 1972, known for its beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.[11][12][13][14][15][16]
Seoul Subway Line 4 passes through areas such asGireum,Sungshin Women's University, andHansung University, connecting Seongbuk andJongno Districts.
(Gangbuk-gu) ← Gireum — Sungshin Women's University — Hansung University → (Jongno-gu)
Seoul Subway Line 6 runs through Jongno andNowon Districts, with key stations includingBomun,Anam,Korea University,Wolgok,Sangwolgok, andDolgoji. The line links the eastern and northern parts of the city.
(Jongno-gu) ← Bomun — Anam — Korea University — Wolgok — Sangwolgok — Dolgoji → (Nowon-gu)
TheUi LRT, alight rail transit system, passes throughBukhansan Bogungmun, also known as Seokyeong University,Jeongneung, Sungshin Women's University, andBomun, connecting the district to Gangbuk andDongdaemun.
(Gangbuk-gu) ← Bukhansan Bogungmun — Jeongneung — Sungshin Women's University — Bomun → (Dongdaemun-gu)
Shunyi, China
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