Discover Other Tourist Attractions Including Children’s Center Welcome to Gwangjin-gu District in Seoul, Korea! This guidebook will introduce you to the cultural highlights of this area, including the renowned Children’s Center. Explore other exciting tourist destinations as you immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Korea. Let’s begin your journey of discovery!
Seoul Gwangjin-gu Children’s Center
“The welfare center, established by the Yookyung Foundation with the aim of promoting the well-being of children and creating a nurturing environment, is a cultural facility catering to children. It features various educational, exhibition, cultural, and sports facilities for children. Spanning 10,000㎡, the center consists of a science museum (4 floors above ground, 1 floor below ground) and a cultural center (2 floors above ground) covering 6500㎡. Visitors can enjoy a range of children-related events and hands-on experiences. The indoor playground is free to use, and during winter, a sledding hill is open for fun. Originally established on Seoul’s Namsan in 1970, the center was relocated to its current location in 1975.”
• Address (location): “441 Gwangnaru-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “09:00~18:00.”
‘Kids Auto Park’ – Exploring Family Fun in Seoul
“Kids Auto Park is a children’s traffic safety experience center located at the back of the Imagination Land within Seoul Children’s Grand Park. Established in collaboration with an NGO (Korean Life Safety Union), a corporation (Hyundai Motor Group), and the local government (Seoul Metropolitan Government), the park aims to educate children about traffic safety in a fun and engaging way to foster advanced traffic citizens. Spanning 3,000㎡, the facility features a driving course and traffic lights where children can experience driving and learn about traffic culture. It offers various facilities such as virtual auto experience, pedestrian education area, driving education area, traffic safety license test area, and auto booths. Visitors can participate in a variety of educational programs including virtual experiences, seat belt safety practice, and pedestrian exercises through 3D videos. Kids Auto Park operates programs using specially designed experience cars modeled after past Hyundai car models to provide a stable and comfortable driving experience. Prior reservation through the website is mandatory before visiting Kids Auto Park. Elementary school children in grades 1 through 4 who complete the [Elementary Experience Education] program can take exams (written, pedestrian, driving) and receive a children’s traffic safety license.”
• Address (location): “216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City (Neungdong)”
• Hours of use: “10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.”
Seoul Gwangjin-gu ‘Jayang-dong Lamb Skewer Alley (Chinese Food Culture Street)
“When you come out of Exit 5 at Konkuk University Station on Subway Line 2 and Line 7, walk past the Rodeo Street and head towards the Han River for about 50 meters. You will soon encounter the famous ‘Lamb Skewer Street,’ also known as the Chinese Food Culture Street. This place, bustling with lamb skewer specialty restaurants run by Chinese expatriates, is often referred to as ‘New Chinatown.’ With more Chinese-language signs than Korean, this area offers a variety of dining options, including lamb skewer joints and fusion Chinese cuisine spots, making it a must-visit attraction in Seoul to experience diverse food culture.”
• Address (location): “Jayeong-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City”
‘Godangjo Man Sik’ Statue of Master Dong
This statue was erected on December 7, 1976, in Seoul’s Gwangjin-gu, Neungdong 18 (inside Seoul Children’s Grand Park) to honor the noble spirit of anti-Japanese sentiment and freedom protection of teacher Cho Man-sik. The statue was crafted by Min Bok-jin, and the inscription on the front was written by the late President Park Chung-hee. Cho Man-sik, also known as the Gandhi of Korea, was a philosopher and independence activist who practiced nonviolent resistance. Hailing from Gangseo in Pyeongnam, he dedicated himself to national education at Osan School before resigning from his position as principal. He led the March 1st Movement in 1919, enduring a year of imprisonment. In 1920, he organized the Korea Promotion Movement to advance social causes. Actively participating in the establishment of the Korean People’s University, he became the president of Chosun Ilbo newspaper in 1932, leading in media development and national enlightenment. Cho Man-sik worked tirelessly to unify left and right-wing factions and led the post-liberation anti-communist movement and independence movement, but was later taken away by Soviet forces and never seen in public again. In 1970, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation by the Republic of Korea.
• Address (location): “216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City, located within Seoul Children’s Grand Park”
• Hours of use: 05:00 to 22:00.
※ Subject to change depending on the season and weather.
Seoul Gwangjin-gu ‘Gohasongjin Master Statue’
“This memorial statue was built to honor the late Mr. Go Ha Songjinwoo, a prominent figure in Korea who was a leader in the independence movement, educator, journalist, politician, and national leader. It is located within Seoul Children’s Grand Park (between the main gate and west gate). Mr. Go actively participated in the March 1st Movement, resisted Japanese colonial rule, and led the independence movement through newspapers for over 20 years. He advocated for national independence, democracy, people’s livelihoods, and grassroots movements, using media, education, industry, and cultural activities to inspire the nation’s strength and spirit for independence. He rejected Japanese proposals for governance before liberation, and after Korea’s independence, he founded the Korean Democratic Party and continued to oppose trusteeship rule as the president of Donga Ilbo. Tragically, he was assassinated at his home in Wonsedong, Seoul, by a pro-Japanese collaborator. Specifications: Area 9㎡, Height 3.9m, Statue Height 3.6m Builder: Songjinwoo Memorial Statue Construction Committee (Established on September 23, 1983)”
• Address (location): Seoul Children’s Grand Park, 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• Hours of use: “05:00~22:00.”
‘Namgang Yi Seung-hoon Teacher Statue’
“Seonghoon Lee, a prominent educator and patriot during the Japanese colonial period, is honored with a statue located between the South Gate and East Gate in Children’s Grand Park. Established to commemorate the contributions of Seonghoon Lee, who founded Seoul Osan Middle and High School, the statue was completed on October 3, 1974, through donations including a grant from former President Park Chung-hee and contributions from various sectors totaling 15 million Korean won. Born into a humble family in 1864, Seonghoon Lee later became a wealthy man in his 40s. Concerned about the country’s crisis due to Japanese invasion, he devoted himself to educating talents by establishing Osan School in 1907, and participated in the independence movement, enduring imprisonment three times for several years starting in 1922. Upon his release, he immersed himself in Christian faith, focusing on evangelism, welfare activities, promoting the establishment of private universities, and pioneering in the field of media. Emphasizing practical action over mere words in education, he instructed to not bury his remains but to create a skeletal specimen for students to study. In 1962, Seonghoon Lee was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation by the Republic of Korea for his contributions to the country.”
• Address (location): Seoul Children’s Grand Park, 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• Hours of use: 05:00~22:00
※ Subject to change depending on the season and weather.
‘Baekmagoji Monument of the Three Heroes’
“Dongsan, located near the East Gate within Children’s Grand Park, was established in 1973. It was built to honor the three heroes – Sergeant Kang Seung-woo, Private Oh Gyu-bong, and Private Ahn Young-kwon – who bravely led an assault with grenades during the fierce Battle of Baekma Hill in the Korean War, successfully recapturing the strategic point from the enemy. These three soldiers, belonging to the 1st Platoon of the 1st Company of the 30th Regiment under the 9th Division in 1952, displayed remarkable courage by rushing with TNT, mortar shells, and grenades to neutralize the enemy’s machine gun emplacement, ultimately reclaiming the hilltop. In recognition of their noble sacrifice, the government awarded them the Eulji Medal on July 1, 1953, promoting Sergeant Kang Seung-woo to Lieutenant and Privates Oh Gyu-bong and Ahn Young-kwon to Sergeant.”
• Address (location): “216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
“Seoul Gwangjin-gu ‘Yu Gwan-sun Memorial'”
“A statue of Yu Gwan-sun martyr was erected to honor the young heroine who led the independence movement and sacrificed her life in prison after being arrested at the Awunae Market in Cheonan. Located on the stairs following a path behind the visitor center in the Children’s Grand Park, the statue of Yu Gwan-sun was built in 1973. With the Korean flag waving behind her, the stone statue of Yu Gwan-sun shouting ‘Long live Korean independence!’ exudes a powerful presence despite its small size, conveying a deep sense of passion and dynamism. The simple inscription on the black pedestal, ‘Martyred Maiden Yu Gwan-sun,’ evokes her unwavering spirit. During her studies at Ehwa Girls’ School, Yu Gwan-sun participated in a protest against Japanese colonial rule during the March 1st Movement. When the school closed, she returned to her hometown of Cheonan to lead the independence protests. On April 1, 1919, amidst a crowd of over 3,000 demonstrators at the Awunae Market, Yu Gwan-sun distributed Korean flags and led the procession chanting for independence. Japanese soldiers resorted to violence, resulting in the death of Yu Gwan-sun’s parents and 19 others, while injuring over 30 individuals. Despite being arrested and imprisoned at Seodaemun Prison, Yu Gwan-sun continued to advocate for independence until her untimely death in prison at the tender age of 18 in October 1920.”
• Address (location): 18 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City, South Korea (Icheon-dong, E-Ten Tower River 3rd)
• Hours of use: “05:00~22:00”
General Jangbi Coal Market in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
“Located across from the statue of General Eulji Mundeok at the back entrance of Seoul Children’s Grand Park is the statue of General John B. Coulter. In recognition of his efforts in rebuilding Korea after the devastation of the Korean War, the statue was erected in Itaewon in October 1959 and later moved to Seoul Children’s Grand Park in 1977. During the critical Battle of Pohang in the Korean War, General John B. Coulter (1891-1983), who served as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. 8th Army, took command of the 1st Division at the outbreak of the war in 1950. He played a significant role in halting North Korea’s advance and led support forces for a counterattack against North Korea in September. Following his retirement in 1958, he supervised the expenditure of over $200 million for Korea’s reconstruction as the head of the international UN Korean Reconstruction Agency.”
• Address (location): “216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City, within Seoul Children’s Grand Park”
• Hours of use: 05:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Park Hours)