Gangseo District (; ) is one of the 25 districts (gu) of Seoul, South Korea. It is located on the south side of the Han River. South Korea's third busiest airport, Gimpo International Airport, is located in Gonghang-dong, where many flights fly to cities like Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju. The Magok Industrial Complex, located in Magok-dong, is a major hub for research and development, housing numerous R&D centers and corporate headquarters.
The earliest recorded name of the area was Jechapa-ui (é½Â次巴衣), which appears in the Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) under the Goguryeo section. Jecha (é½Â次) is derived from Jegye (é½ÂæÂÂ), meaning ritual or sacrifice, while Pa-ui (å·´è¡£) is an ancient word meaning âÂÂrock.â Together, the name means âÂÂrock for offering rituals.â During the Hanseong Baekje period, the Baekje king conducted rituals inside a cave at Heogabawi Rock, praying to the land gods for prosperity. This led to the name Jechapa-ui being used for the area.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the Gangseo region was occupied by both Baekje and Goguryeo. It consisted of five prefectures: Geompo-hyeon (é»Â浦縣), Jechapa-ui-pyeonghoepa (é½Â次巴衣平淮æÂÂ), Dongjahol (ç«¥åÂÂ忽), and Suihol-hyeon (é¦Âç¾忽縣).
In 757, during the Unified Silla period, King Gyeongdeok renamed Geompo to Gimpo-hyeon (éÂÂ浦縣), making it a subordinate prefecture of Jangje-gun (é·堤é¡).
In 1018, under King Hyeonjong of Goryeo, the region became part of Yanggwang-do (æ¥Â廣éÂÂ) and was placed under Sujoo (樹å·Â, present-day Bucheon). In 1391, during King GongyangâÂÂs reign, Gyeonggi Province was divided into left and right regions, with all prefectures except Yangcheon-hyeon (é½å·Â縣) incorporated into Gyeonggi Right Province.
In 1414, under King Taejong, Gimpo and Yangcheon were merged into Geumyang-hyeon (è¡¿é½縣). However, in October of that year, the two regions were separated again, with Gimpo incorporated into Bupyeong-bu (å¯Âå¹³åºÂ). In 1416, Gimpo regained its status as an independent prefecture. In 1632, during King InjoâÂÂs reign, Gimpo was elevated to county (gun) status.
By 1895, during King GojongâÂÂs 32nd year, Korea was reorganized into 23 districts (bu), and Gimpo, Tongjin (éÂÂæ´¥), and Yangcheon became separate counties. The present-day Gangseo District was historically part of Gimpo County and the northernmost section of present-day Bucheon.
This area is part of the Gimpo Plain, located along the banks of the Han River. The underlying bedrock consists of Precambrian granite gneiss and banded gneiss, which have been eroded over a long period, forming hilly terrain. The northern region along the Han River is a floodplain with thick sedimentary deposits, historically utilized as fertile farmland through the construction of embankments.
Several low residual hills remain in the hilly areas, including Gaehwa Mountain (131.2m), Maebong Mountain (117.7m), Ujang Mountain (93.6m), Gung Mountain (74.8m), and Kkachi Mountain (75m). These hills are surrounded by expansive gentle slopes. Additionally, the area is home to streams such as Gayangcheon and Banghwacheon, which flow northward into the Han River. Notably, Banghwacheon features an irrigation channel that takes advantage of the Han RiverâÂÂs reverse flow effect.
Gangseo District experiences an average annual temperature of 13.3ðC, with a January average of 0.4ðC and an August average of 26.5ðC. The annual precipitation is approximately 1,212.3 mm.
Owing to the presence of Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo District, several major aviation companies and related services maintain their headquarters or primary offices in the district. Korea Airports Corporation, which manages Gimpo and other airports in South Korea, has its headquarters on the property of Gimpo International Airport in Gonghang-dong.àKorean AirâÂÂs corporate headquarters are also located in Gonghang-dong near Gimpo Airport.àKorean Airport Service, Ltd. and Air Total Service are based in the same neighbourhood.àAsiana Airlines maintains its headquarters â known as Asiana Town â in Osoe-dong.àJin Air, a low-cost subsidiary of Korean Air, lists its office presence in Deungchon-dong. Eastar Jet, a South Korean low-cost carrier, is headquartered in Banghwa-dong.
Traditional markets
Department stores and shopping complexes
Major retail and commercial areas
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) FDR/CVR Analysis and Wreckage Laboratory is on the property of Gimpo International Airport in Gwahae-dong, Gangseo District. Previously the ARAIB had its headquarters in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo District. The ARAIB headquarters are now in Sejong City.
Gangseo District is home to several higher education institutions, including Korea Polytechnic UniversityâÂÂs Gangseo Campus, Seoul Digital UniversityâÂÂs Gangseo Campus, Gangseo University, and a campus of Ewha Womans University College of Medicine.