geo.wikisort.org - Island

Yeouido (Hangul: 여의도, English: Yoi Island or Yeoui Island) is a large island (or eyot) on the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. It is Seoul's main finance and investment banking district. Its 8.4 square kilometers are home to some 30,988 people.[1] The island is located in the Yeongdeungpo-gu district of Seoul, and largely corresponds to the precinct of Yeoui-dong. The island contains the National Assembly Building, where the National Assembly of South Korea meets, Korea Financial Investment Association, the large Yoido Full Gospel Church, the 63 Building, and the headquarters of LG, Korean Broadcasting System, and the Korea Exchange Center. Due mainly to its importance as a financial district and its central location, Yeouido is home to some of Seoul and South Korea's tallest skyscrapers, including International Finance Center Seoul, Parc1 Tower, the Federation of Korea Industries Tower, as well as the iconic 63 Building.

Yeouido
Korean name
Hangul	여의도
Hanja	汝矣島
Revised Romanization	Yeouido
McCune–Reischauer	Yŏŭido

Etymology

The name of the island means "You can have it," i.e., "useless". This was because whenever the Han River flooded, only a small patch of high ground remained above water level.

History

Being a vacant spot convenient to the capital of Joseon, Yeouido was used as a national pasture for sheep and goats according to a 16th-century geographical record.[2] Yeouido remained for the most part an uninhabited sandbar prior to the construction of Seoul's first airport in April 1924.[3] The airport served both international, domestic, and military flights, and was also the site of a flight school.[4] The airport was prone to flooding that made it unusable during the summer rainy season. Gimpo International Airport took over Yeouido's commercial flights in 1958, and Seoul Air Base took over its military functions in 1971.

Starting in the late 1960s, major housing developments were erected on the island, many of which are still in place in 2020.

The six-lane bridge connecting it to the mainland of Yeongdeungpo was built in 1970 as part of Han River development project led by President Park Jung-Hee, after which followed a period of rapid development. Formerly part of Goyang, Yeouido-dong was formed as a separate entity in 1971.[4] In 1975 the new National Assembly Building opened on the western side of the island. In 1985 the 63 building was completed and was the tallest and most well-known building in the country for many years.

Politics

Yeouido is the center of politics in South Korea. The western half of the island dominated by political organisations and their respective buildings. Most prominently, the National Assembly Building is located to the far west of the island. Construction of the building commenced in 1969 and was completed in 1975 and sits atop the site of the former Yeouido airport. Prior to the opening of the National Assembly Building the seat of government was located at the General Government Building which was situated within the grounds of Gyeungbok Palace.

Due to its national importance, the area surrounding the National Assembly Building and its adjoining buildings is home to a significant police presence. Despite this, the grounds are usually open to the public and connect to the Han River Park which surrounds the site on three sides.

Most of the major South Korean political parties including the Democratic Party and the People Power Party maintain their headquarters in Yeouido, close to the National Assembly Building.

Economics

Yeouido is considered to be the financial center of Seoul, hosting most of the country's largest financial institutions including: Industrial Bank, Kookmin Bank, Korea Stock Exchange and Federation of Korean Industries, Hana Bank, Shinhan Securities, NH Investment Securities, and Eugene Investment Securities. Most of these institutions are clustered on the eastern side of the island, opposite the political quarter on the western side.

Media

Given the island's political and economic importance, several major media companies have a presence in Yeouido. These include major newspapers such as Kookmin Ilbo and the broadcaster KBS. However, despite previously having a presence on the island, many other companies including SBS and MBC later left Yeouido.

Religion

Yeouido is home to one of South Korea's largest churches, the Pentecostal Yoido Full Gospel Church. The church was founded in 1958 and currently has over 480,000 members.

Public parks

Five parks are located in Yeouido. Notable among these are the Yeouido district of the Han River Public Park and Yeouido Park. Yeouido Park was formed in 1999 through the reclamation of a patch of land, known as Yeouido Square or May 16 Square, which had lain under asphalt for 27 years and was used for various large public gatherings.[5] In addition, a terminal for excursion ferries stands on the Han River shore.

Unit of area

The "size of Yeouido" is often used by South Korean media as a means of comparison for measuring an unfamiliar area. For example, it may be said that city A in country Y is twice the size of Yeouido.^{[citation needed]} Yeouido is a little under 1/10th of the size of Manhattan (87.0 km2).

Festivals

• Cherry Blossom Festival - Every April, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held in the streets of Yeouido.
• Seoul International Fireworks Festival - On Saturdays of October, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival is held at Hangang Park.

Tallest buildings

Rank	Name	Height	Floors	Years	Notes
1	Parc1 Tower A	333m	69	2020	Current Tallest building in Yeouido.
2	Parc1 Tower B	256m	53	2020
3	Three IFC Office Tower	279m	55	2012
4	63 Building	249m	60	1985
5	Federation of Korean Industries Head Office Building	245m	50	2013
6	Conrad Seoul	200m	37	2012
7	One IFC Office Tower	186m	32	2012
8	Two IFC Office Tower	176m	29	2012
9	S-Trenue	154m	36	2009
10	Yeouido Richensia Tower 1	151m	40	2003
10	Yeouido Richensia Tower 2	151m	40	2003
12	LG Twin Towers Tower 1	144m	34	1987
12	LG Twin Towers Tower 2	144m	34	1987

Under Construction

Name	Height	Floors	Completed Date	Notes
Yeouido Post office Reconstruction	150.80m	33	2020

Transportation

Buses

There are four colour-coded bus lines that operate in Yeouido:

• Yellow buses run a circular route on Yeouido only
• Red buses run different routes all over Yeouido only
• Green and Blue buses connect Yeouido to numerous other points in Seoul

Bridges

There are 3 bridges between Yeouido and Mapo: Mapo Bridge, Seogang Bridge, and Wonhyo Bridge.

Subway

Isolated for centuries, Yeouido is now tightly-connected to the Seoul transportation grid. Seoul Subway Line 5 and Line 9 intersect at Yeouido Station. Line 5 also stops at Yeouinaru Station. Line 9 also stops at Saetgang Station and National Assembly Station.

Gallery

• 
  The former MBC headquarter building
• 
  National Assembly Building
• 
  Seoul Building63
• 
  Cherry Blossom Festival

See also

• Geography of South Korea
• Islands of Korea
• Han River

References

External links

• Yeouido-dong website^{[dead link]}
• Yeouido : Seoul Official Tourism (English)
• Tour2Korea profile of the island
• Yeuoido Spring Flower Festival 2007

На других языках

---

- [en] Yeouido

---

[it] Yeouido

Yeouido (여의도?, YeouidoLR, YŏŭidoMR) è un'isola sul fiume Han a Seul, in Corea del Sud. È ubicata al centro di Seul ed è il quartiere degli affari. I suoi 8,4 chilometri quadrati ospitano 31.000 persone. L'isola si trova nel distretto di Seul. Sull'isola si trova la Chiesa evangelica di Yoido, il 63 Building e la sede della Korea Exchange.

---

---