How about a stroll through Junghwa-dong? This neighborhood is a dong in Jungnang-gu. It is located in Seoul, South Korea.
Junghwa-dong covers 1.66 square kilometers. That is just over half a square mile. In 2001, Junghwa-dong had a population of 60,928. This means there were about 37,000 people per square kilometer. It was a very dense neighborhood. Or about 95,000 people per square mile.
Let’s step back in time. Jungnang District has a rich history. Relics from the Paleolithic and Bronze Ages were found here. These were near Yongmasan and Bonghwasan Mountains. These mountains form a triangle with Mangusan Mountain at the center. This shows people lived here as far back as 30,000 BC.
The Jungnang area held strategic importance. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was a key point for Baekje. They wanted to control the Han River basin. Later, under the Unified Silla period, it became Yangjumok. This was when the country set up twelve key locations in 983 during the Goryeo dynasty.
Heo Mok created maps of Hansung Ranch in 1663. One map, Jinheonmajeongdo Island, shows Bulamsan and Achasan Mountains. The map vaguely shows Jungnangcheon Stream, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Sinchon. But it clearly depicts the area that is now Jungnang District.
In 1895, Korea changed its administrative divisions. It went from 23bu to 336-gun. A year later, the country was divided into thirteen degrees. Yangju separated from Hansung-bu. It then became part of Gyeonggi-do as Yangju-gun.
In 1913, the Junghwa area was part of Guri-myeon in Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do. Ttukdo-myeon became part of Seoul in 1949. In 1963, Mangnae-ri was reunified. In 1980, Muk-dong and Mangwoo 2-dong were divided.
Jungnang District was newly formed in 1988. It separated from Dongdaemun District. This expansion also included other districts. These were Nowon, Seocho, Yangcheon and Songpa.
In 2008, some administrative divisions merged. Myeonmok 1-dong and Myeonmok 6-dong became Myeonmokbon-dong. Myeonmok 3-dong and Myeonmok 8-dong became Myeonmok 3-dong. Junghwa 2-dong and Junghwa 3-dong merged. Also Mangwoo 2-dong became Mangwoobon-dong.
Today, Junghwa-dong continues to evolve. It adapts to the needs of its residents. Its history remains a vital part of its identity. The district is a mix of old and new. It is a testament to Seoul’s dynamic spirit.