Whispers of history echo in Jungnim-dong. This neighborhood in Seoul has a story to tell. Jungnim-dong got its name from combining parts of two old names. These are Yakjeonjung-dong and Hanrim-dong.
Yakjeonjung-dong was named for supplying medicine in Jangan during the Joseon period. Hanrim-dong honored the Lee Jung-am family. Three brothers from this family lived here. All three served in the Hanrim government.
Other old village names add to Jungnim-dong’s rich past. These include Gaundong-mal, Hanrim-gol, and Hyungjeumulgol. Jungnim-dong is part of Jung District. Jung District is at the heart of Seoul. It is known as the Central District. Jung District is small but important.
Here in Jungnim-dong, you will find Yakhyeon Catholic Church. It stands as a testament to faith and history. This church is also known as Church of St Joseph. Yakhyeon Catholic Church is a landmark. It is the first modern Western-style building in Korea. Completed in 1892, it marked a new era. Korea gained religious freedom in 1886. This allowed the church to be built. Fr Eugene Jean Georges Coste designed it. He was a French Catholic missionary.
The church’s design is cruciform or cross-shaped. It measures 12 by 32 meters. In 1998, an arson attack damaged the structure. Fortunately, it was restored. Its doors are always open. It serves as a public sanctuary.
Pope Francis visited Yakhyeon Catholic Church in 2014. It is a popular place for Catholic weddings. In 2022, President Yoon Suk Yeol attended Christmas Eve mass here. He is a baptized Catholic.
Son Gi-jeong Park also calls Jungnim-dong home. This green space offers a place for rest. It is named after a famous Korean marathon runner.
Jungnim-dong covers just 0.48 square kilometers. In 2013, its population was nearly 10,000 people. That is a density of 21,000 people per square kilometer.
Jungnim-dong is more than just a neighborhood. It is a place where history and faith intertwine. From its unique name origin to the iconic Yakhyeon Catholic Church. Jungnim-dong offers a glimpse into Seoul’s vibrant past.