Mapo District

Mapo District (Korean: 마포구; RR: Mapo-gu) is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea.

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Mapo 마포구
Autonomous District
마포구 · 麻浦區
Hongdae
Flag
Location of Mapo District in Seoul
Coordinates: 37.5638°N 126.9084°E / 37.5638; 126.9084
Country	South Korea
Region	Sudogwon
Special City	Seoul
Administrative dong	24 (16 actual precincts)
Government
• Body	Mapo-gu Council
• Mayor	Park Gang-su (People Power)
• MNAs	List of MNAs Noh Woong-rae (Democratic) Jung Chung-rae (Democratic)
Area
• Total	23.87 km2 (9.22 sq mi)
Population  (2015[1])
• Total	381,330
• Density	16,000/km2 (41,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Postal code	03900 – 04299
Area code(s)	+82-2 300,700,3150
Website	Mapo District official website

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Mapo has a population of 381,330 (2015) and has a geographic area of 23.87 km² (9.22 sq mi), and is divided into 24 dong (administrative neighborhoods). Mapo is located in western Seoul on the northern bank of the Han River, bordering the Gyeonggi Province city of Goyang to the northwest, and the Seoul city districts of Gangseo to the west, Yeongdeungpo to the south, Yongsan to the southeast, Jung to the east, and Seodaemun and Eunpyeong to the north.

Mapo is home to several universities and government buildings, and is well known for the Hongdae club district around Hongik University. Mapo is connected to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway's Line 2, Line 5, and Line 6, as well as the Airport Railroad, and the Korail Gyeongui-Jungang Line, which all pass through this district. The Seoul World Cup Stadium, a famous landmark in Seoul, is located in Sangam in northwest Mapo.

Mapo District was formed in 1944 from portions of Seodaemun and Yongsan Districts. The dong (동) structure was revised in 1985 and 2008. Roughly 53% of Mapo District's area is taken up by residences, many of which are high-rise apartment buildings. Much of the remaining area (43%) is greenspace, including the World Cup Park and additional parkland along the Han River.^[2]

In the 2008 revamping of the precinct (dong) administration, some smaller precincts were merged to form larger precincts, effectively reducing the number of precinct administrative offices. As a result, the number of precinct offices decreased to 16 from 24. However, addresses remained the same.

These are the revamped administrative precincts:

The name "Mapo" comes from the name of an old ferry across the Han River, and can roughly be translated as "hemp ferry."

Mapo District is one of the economically strong areas within Seoul. During Mayor Park Won-soon's administration, before the integration of acquisition and property taxes by Seoul's main office, Mapo's financial independence rate exceeded 50%. As of 2024, due to the impact of the integrated taxation of acquisition and property taxes, Mapo's financial independence rate has dropped to 28%.

An office district has developed around Gongdeok Station and the Digital Media City area, while large commercial districts have formed around Sinchon Station, Hongdae (Hongik University) Station, Hapjeong Station, and Mangwon Station. The economic strength of the area comes from the businesses and shops concentrated in these areas. In particular, the Hongdae Street area near Hongik University Station has grown into a major tourist destination since the 2020s, attracting visitors from around the world, with foreign consumer spending becoming a driving force of Mapo District's economy.

It boasts excellent accessibility to both the central Jongno area and Yeongdeungpo/Yeouido districts. Gongdeok Station, in particular, has become a major transportation hub with the intersection of four different lines, causing real estate prices to skyrocket. Although the area, along with nearby Eunpyeong-gu and Seodaemun-gu, was notorious for haphazard development due to a lack of systematic planning since the 1960s, redevelopment efforts since the 2000s have elevated it to one of the top levels in Seoul’s real estate market.

It is also part of the “Mayongseong” (Mapo, Yong-san, Seongdong) trio, a popular real estate term. The four subway lines are strategically located, providing excellent metro access throughout the district. Additionally, Hongdae (Hongik University) Station serves as a transfer point for Line 2, the Airport Railroad, and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, while Hapjeong Station connects Lines 2 and 6, serving as a transit hub toward northwestern Gyeonggi Province.

Four college or university institutions, including Sogang University and Hongik University, are located within Mapo District. The area around Hongik University, also known as Hongdae, is well known as one of the cultural centers of Seoul, and was named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2016.^[3] There are eight high schools, including Seoul Girls' High School, along with 12 middle schools and 20 elementary schools serving the community. There are three special schools for disabled or industrial educations. Due to the presence of university students in the district, Mapo District offers a large variety of shopping and dining options.

International schools:

• Japanese School in Seoul in Sangam-dong^[4]

• Shijingshan, China