As Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong rises as a representative 'hot place' in Seoul, there is a movement to change the name of the nearby Songjeong-dong to Seongsu-dong. Those advocating for the name change cite public opinion and local development as reasons. However, the local government opposes the change, stating that it contradicts regulations and needs to be approached cautiously. ChosunBiz investigated what circumstances surround this.
◇ Where is Songjeong-dong?… 'Promote it as a Seongsu-dong cafe'
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 20th, there are 9,453 residents in Songjeong-dong, which has an area of 0.75㎢ as of the end of last year. It is smaller than nearby Seongsu-dong 2-ga (2.23㎢, 23,801 residents) and Seongsu-dong 1-ga (2.85㎢, 26,898 residents). The residential area of Songjeong-dong is about 700 to 800 meters away from the cafe street in Seongsu-dong.
Those pushing for the name change talk about 'development.' They argue that although the Seongsu-dong commercial district is expanding and trendy cafes and clothing stores are moving into Songjeong-dong, the name is not Seongsu-dong, which limits development.
The awareness of Songjeong-dong itself is low. Songjeong-dong in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju with Gwangju Songjeong Station or Songjeong Beach in Haeundae-gu, Busan is more famous. Songjeong-dong is where singer IU was born, and when IU introduced her birthplace as 'Songjeong-dong, Gyeonggi Province' at an event in April 2023, she quickly corrected it to 'from Seoul Songjeong-dong.'
Yang Mo (39), who has been running a cafe in Songjeong-dong for four years, said, 'Customers are not familiar with the name Songjeong-dong. Since it is part of the same commercial district, I introduce my cafe as one in Seongsu-dong,' adding, 'If it changes to Seongsu-dong, it seems it would be good for us operating cafes.'
◇ '70% of Songjeong-dong residents support Seongsu-dong' vs 'does not meet change requirements'
Park Young-hee, a council member of the People Power Party in Seongdong-gu, proposed a local government ordinance to change the name of Songjeong-dong to Seongsu-dong (Seongsu 2-ga 2-dong), citing these arguments. Although Seongsu 2-ga includes 'Seongsu 2-ga 1-dong and Seongsu 2-ga 3-dong', the split between Seongdong-gu and Gwangjin-gu led to the disappearance of Seongsu 2-ga 2-dong. The proposal is to use that name.
Council member Park cited public opinion surveys as a basis for the need to change the name. A survey conducted by the research company Yeouido Research from September 26 to 27 last year showed that 69.4% of residents agreed to change the name of Songjeong-dong to Seongsu 2-ga 2-dong.
The ordinance proposal was rejected by the district council in November last year, with significant opposition from Seongdong-gu. A district official stated, 'The name change of Songjeong-dong does not meet the requirements for changing the name of a district' and emphasized that 'the opinions of a majority of residents must be sufficiently gathered.' There were also concerns mentioned about the significant expenses associated with changing the name. During a district council meeting, a Seongdong-gu official said, '(We) need to hear from the residents of Seongsu 2-ga, which will be incorporated.'
Even after the rejection of the ordinance, efforts to change the name continue. Hwang Cheol-kyu, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party elected from Seongsu-dong, noted, 'Residents want it,' and said, 'I plan to form a name change promotional committee consisting of Seongdong-gu council members and local residents to properly follow the administrative procedures.'
◇ Homeowners say, 'Housing prices will rise'… 30% of renters support the change
Opinions among Songjeong-dong residents are mixed. Kim (in their 60s) stated, 'Songjeong-dong has seen redevelopment fail three times,' adding, 'If we change the name, I think we will hear talk of it becoming a 'hot place' too.' Lee (also in their 60s) who has lived there for 40 years, also stated, 'If the name changes to Seongsu-dong, I think housing prices will rise.'
On the other hand, Kang Mo (49), who has lived in Songjeong-dong for 20 years, expressed, 'Isn't the name Songjeong prettier than Seongsu?' questioning, 'Why should we change a place name that has been used for so long?' According to a public opinion survey conducted by Yeouido Research, only 30.8% of renters in Songjeong-dong supported the name change. This is interpreted as a concern that if housing prices rise, the rent will follow. Among homeowners, 79.5% supported the name change.