Wondering where the name Guro comes from? Legend says nine old men enjoyed long lives here. That is according to Korean folklore. I am excited to share the story of Guro with you. It is one of Seoul’s 25 districts. Guro was once part of Yeongdeungpo District. It became its own district on April 1 1980.
Guro is a transport hub. Railroads and highways connect Seoul to the south. The Gyeongbu and Gyeongin railway lines link Seoul to Busan and Incheon. Seoul Subway lines 1 2 and 7 all intersect in Guro District.
In 1967 Guro became a digital industrial complex. It was once known for textiles and dressmaking. These labor-intensive industries drove early growth. The complex helped South Korea’s economy. It contributed 10% of national exports in the 1970s. This growth was called the “Miracle on the Han River”.
Guro has an e-government system. It hosted an international e-participation forum in 2007. Mayors and experts from around the world attended. They aimed to bridge the digital divide. The Guro Declaration came from this forum. It sought to create a portal for e-government development.
Guro’s history has two origins. They are the old Bupyeong and Siheung areas. The eastern part was Ingbeollo-hyeon during the Goguryeo Dynasty. Later it became Geumju and Siheung during the Goryeo period. In 1413 it became Geumcheon-hyeon. The western part was Jubuto-gun during the Goguryeo Dynasty. It later became Bupyeong during the Goryeo period.
In 1949 the eastern part joined Seoul. Guro became a new district in 1980. Officials once considered annexing Cheolsan and Gwangmyeong. They feared Seoul’s expansion. Gwangmyeong was established instead.
After the 1990s textile industries declined. This caused problems. The Guro District council divided Guro into four zones. They developed each zone to boost the economy. The zones include Garibong Redevelopment Zone and Sindorim Station area.
Today over 80% of companies in Guro are IT companies. Many apartments replaced old factories. This created a new residential area.
Guro has nineteen administrative divisions. They include Garibong-dong and Gaebong-dong. Oryu 2-dong is the largest. Garibong 2-dong is the smallest. The geography is mostly flat. Some hills rise in the western area.
Two waterways run through Guro. Anyangcheon flows south to north. Dorimcheon flows east to west. Since 2005 Anyangcheon has been a protected wildlife zone. Dorimcheon runs through artificial channels. Near Sindorim station it returns to a natural state.
In 1967 Guro Industrial Complex was created. It drove the “Miracle on the Han River”. It became a hub for research and development.
D-Cube City is a large complex near Sindorim Station. It has a department store a hotel and a cinema.
Guro District also hosts a Techno Mart and the Seoul Industrial Tools Commercial Complex.
Guro focuses on digital sanitary and welfare administration. Its e-services include e-procurement and cyber shopping. Sanitary administration reduces pollution. Welfare administration supports disabled people.
Korea University operates Guro Hospital. The district has many education facilities. Dongyang Technical College focuses on high-tech training.
The Jump Guro Festival takes place every September. It features sports and entertainment. Guro also has a wrestling team with Olympic and Asian Games medals.
Guro Cultural Foundation manages cultural activities. The Sindorim Opera House is one of its facilities.
Guro District has one of Seoul’s two Chinatowns. It stretches from Dearim-dong to Namguro.
Gocheok Sky Dome opened in 2015. It hosts baseball games and concerts.
Sindorim Station is a major metro interchange. Over 320000 people use it daily.
Guro is acting as Vice-Chair City of Global Cities Dialogue. It has sister city relationships with Issy-les-Moulineaux France and Pingdu China.
Guro offers nine scenic views. They include Pureun Arboretum Anyangcheon Stream Walkway and Gocheok Sky Dome. Guro is a dynamic district. It blends history industry and culture. Its story is one of constant evolution.