GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

As its name suggests, Gangneug’s Jungang(‘central)-dong is located at the very center of the city of Gangneung. It was formed on October 1, 1998 by merging Nammum-dong, Myeongju-dong, Seongnam-dong, Seongnae-dong, Imdang-dong, Yonggam-dong and Geumhak-dong into one administrative district. The Korean names of these areas, featuring dragons, cranes and ponds, suggest their historical importance. Jungang-dong consists of 20 subdivisions and 101 smaller districts, with its area of one square kilometer making it the second smallest after Okcheon-dong (0.58 square kilometers) amongst the 21 towns, townships and dongs of Gangneung city (1,040.82 square kilometers). As of August this year, its registered population was 4,341 (2,650 households), with an average of 1.64 people per household, slightly more than neighboring Okcheon-dong, the former downtown area, but significantly less than the two people per household that is the average for Gangneung City as a whole. Being located in the original downtown area, its only apartment complex is Samik Green Mansion (156 units)

Before Gangneung City Hall relocated to Hongje-dong in 2001, it was situated in Myeongju-dong and many key public offices such as the Meteorological Administration and Post Office were located there. Even today it remains a financial hub, with the Bank of Korea, NH Nonghyup Bank, SC First Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank all clustered in the area. It also serves as a commercial center, anchored by traditional markets like Jungang Market, Seongnam Market, and Seobu Market.

With Gangneung Medical Center at the forefront, other medical institutions are concentrated here and alleys that once boasted splendid reputations such as Geumbang Alley and ‘Furniture Alley’ (Gagugolmok) are now showing signs of decay (?) and not living up to their names. However, various cafes and restaurants are opening here, revitalizing the area and giving it a youthful transformation. Cultural and historical sites such as Gangneung Daedohobu Government Office, Chilsadang Shrine, and Gyeoksa Gangneung Imyeonggwan remain popular venues for cultural and artistic events throughout the year. Recently, the opening of Myeongju Art Yard, the small performance hall ‘Dan’, and the Imdang Life Cultural Center have helped preserve the reputation of Gangneung as a ‘city of arts’. Residents are also proud to host the ‘Sintongdae-gil Gilnori’ from its starting point (in front of the medical center) to its destination (taxi plaza), one of the main events of ‘Gangneung Danoke’, a thousand-year-old festival and recognized UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Since the opening of the KTX, the old railway tracks have been removed and replaced by Wolhwa Street, which has become a new cultural icon for Gangeung, hosting the Jungang-dong Hanmaeum Festival since 2013. The railroad, which ran through the city center for over 60 years, was relocated underground in 2014 as part of the decision to bury the Gangneung-Wonju high-speed rail line, allowing the area to be returned to the citizens. The creation of Wolhwa Street is seen as a turning point in revitalizing the declining old downtown of Gangneung. The opening of the Wolhwa Street night market last year, along with Jungang Market, is drawing about 5 million tourists annually.

The once thriving ‘University Street’ (Daehak-ro) was an important commercial district in Gangneung, with high rents and famous for its concentration of clothing stores, shoe stores, restaurants, and cafes up until the 1990s. However, due to the spread of commercial districts to the newly developed residential areas of Gyo-dong and Yucheon, along with the growth of online shopping, the local economy is now struggling to the extent that even the first floor of a commercial building cannot be filled, but the local community is coming up with measures to revitalize the area. Jungang-dong is once again stretching its legs to restore its reputation.

Through the Jungang-dong Urban Regeneration Project (for regular neighborhoods), Gangneung City is focusing on revitalizing downtown commercial districts and the local economy by activating local communities to promote the vitality of commercial alleyway districts, restoring downtown urban functions. In addition, the city is carrying out a smart technology support project for urban regeneration, focused on daily life to solve local issues and strengthen regeneration, through smart technologies that meet the conditions of these declining areas and the demands of local residents.

by ​Jung Ick-gi, a reporter at Kangwon Ilbo