Do you see that concrete and steel stretching before us? That is the Yeoui 2 Bridge. It silently connects parts of Seoul. Let’s dive into the story of Yeoui 2 Bridge and the area around it.
Yeoui 2 Bridge sits near Yeouido. Yeouido is a river island on the Han River. It is Seoul’s main finance, media, and investment banking district. As of August 2023, about 32,674 people call it home.
Once upon a time, Yeouido was not the hub it is today. Some say the name “Yeouido” meant “Your Island”. People joked it was useless because floods easily submerged it. The island went by names like Yanghwado and Nauiju during the Joseon period. Jokesters would quip about it being “my island, your island”. The only part that remained above water was Yangmalsan Mountain. Today, the National Assembly Building stands there.
Before it became a financial center, Yeouido was a pasture. In the 16th century, sheep and goats grazed here. Korea’s first airport opened there in April 1924. It handled international, domestic, and military flights. The airport was flood-prone. Gimpo International Airport took over commercial flights in 1958. Seoul Air Base assumed military functions in 1971.
Starting in the late 1960s, housing developments rose on the island. Many of these buildings still stand in 2020. The six-lane bridge connecting Yeouido to Yeongdeungpo was built in 1970. President Park Chung Hee led this Han River development project. Yeouido-dong became a separate entity in 1971.
Today, Yeouido is the center of politics in South Korea. The National Assembly Building opened on the island’s west side in 1975. The Democratic Party and the People Power Party have headquarters in Yeouido.
Yeouido is also an economic powerhouse. It hosts major financial institutions. These include the Industrial Bank, Kookmin Bank, and the Korea Stock Exchange.
If you need a rest, five parks dot Yeouido. Hangang Park and Yeouido Park are notable. Yeouido Park emerged in 1999. It was once Yeouido Square, covered in asphalt for 27 years.
Keep an eye out for festivals. The Cherry Blossom Festival occurs every April. The Seoul International Fireworks Festival lights up October.
You can find the Yeoui 2 Bridge near a few other bridges. There are three bridges between Yeouido and Mapo. They are Mapo Bridge, Seogang Bridge, and Wonhyo Bridge.
Yeouido has convenient transportation. Yellow buses run circular routes on the island. Green and Blue buses link Yeouido to other parts of Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government created the Hangang River Development Project. It divided the Hangang River into 13 districts. The Yeouido District stretches 8.4km. It runs from the Han River Railway Bridge to the Saetgang River.
Notice the blend of nature and urban life. The Yeoui 2 Bridge stands as a testament to Seoul’s growth. It connects people. It links history to the present. It serves as a reminder of the dynamic spirit of this island and city.