The name of Cheongnyangni-dong (淸凉里洞), the legal dong of Cheongnyangni, a key transportation hub in northeastern Seoul, may change to Cheongnyang-dong, dropping the suffix 'ri'. The Dongdaemun District of Seoul explained that residents requested a name change due to recent developments in the Cheongnyangni area that have transformed the atmosphere.
However, residents of Cheongnyangni expressed mixed opinions when they met on the 21st, saying, "I don't know if it's necessary to change the name" and "It's needed to improve the negative image."
◇"We need to reflect the changed regional reality due to Cheongnyangni complex development"
The Dongdaemun District announced that from today until September 15, it will conduct a survey of resident opinions targeting all households in Cheongnyangni-dong regarding the proposed name change to Cheongnyang-dong.
The Dongdaemun District explained, "This initiative is driven by residents' ongoing requests to change the dong name to the more concise and symbolic 'Cheongnyang-dong', reflecting the changed regional reality due to the Cheongnyangni complex development." They also noted, "We plan to make a careful decision on the name change, prioritizing residents' opinions."
Dongdaemun expects that changing the name of Cheongnyangni-dong to the simpler Cheongnyang-dong will enhance the regional brand value and improve external recognition. They also emphasized the significance of correcting the unnecessary duplication of the administrative units 'ri (里)' and 'dong (洞)' in the name 'Cheongnyangni-dong'. 'Ri' is an administrative division located below the towns and villages in rural areas, while 'dong' is the equivalent administrative division in urban areas.
◇"We must change the old name" vs "Those who know it already know it"
According to the Dongdaemun District, requests to rename Cheongnyangni-dong to Cheongnyang-dong were first received in 2014. A district official noted, "Since then, the name change has been a longstanding issue in the region."
In the past, Cheongnyangni was famous not only as a key transportation hub in northeastern Seoul but also as a nationwide renowned red-light district known as 'Cheongnyangni 588.' The land adjacent to Cheongnyangni Station, where the red-light district was located, was demolished starting in 2016 as part of the Cheongnyangni New Town Zone 4 redevelopment project, and now a mixed-use apartment building with 65 stories has been built. The 'changed regional reality' mentioned by Dongdaemun District seems to refer to this context.
Residents met in the Cheongnyangni-dong area had divided opinions regarding the name change. Kim Gil-sook (68), who operates a real estate agency in Cheongnyangni-dong, said, "It's a good change," adding, "'Dong' and 'ri' are redundant, and it can help change the old image." Mr. Jang (70), who runs a supermarket, remarked, "There were times when I felt embarrassed saying 'Cheongnyangni' when people asked where I lived," and stated, "Now that the red-light district is gone and time has passed, isn't it time for a change?"
On the other hand, a veterinarian operating a clinic in Cheongnyangni-dong expressed concern, saying, "This neighborhood has many elderly residents, and changing the name may confuse them," adding, "The neighborhood's image may also change." Kwon (37), who lives in a newly built apartment in the redeveloped Cheongnyangni 588 area, said, "Those who know will always know; I'm not sure if changing the name will change the image."
◇'Ri' used in Seoul as well... Suyuri and Hwayangri are now Suyudong and Hwayangdong
Dongdaemun District also cited the redundancy of 'ri' and 'dong' as a reason for the name change. Historically, places with 'ri' in their names include not only Cheongnyangni but also Suyuri, Hwayangri, Mangwuri, and Danginri. However, the current names of these places exclude 'ri', such as Suyudong (Gangbuk-gu), Hwayangdong (Gwangjin-gu), Mangwudong (Jungnang-gu), and Dangindong (Mapo-gu).
Like Cheongnyangni-dong, there are five other legal dongs that use 'ri' in their names: ▲ Dapsimni-dong in Dongdaemun-gu ▲ Yeomni-dong in Mapo-gu ▲ Sangwangsimni-dong and Hwangsimni-dong in Seongdong-gu ▲ Manlidong in Jung-gu. The origins of the names Dapsimni and Wangsimni date back to a story from the late Goryeo to early Joseon period, when a monk named Muhak advised an elderly man to travel another ten 'li' to the northwest after deciding on Seoul as the capital. The name Manlidong is believed to have originated from the name of Choi Man-ri, who opposed King Sejong the Great's creation of Hangul.
Cheongnyangni-dong and Yeomni-dong are the only places where both administrative units 'ri' and 'dong' appear in the name. Yeomni-dong's name is said to have originated because it was a village where many salt merchants lived. However, Mapo-gu has no intention of changing Yeomni-dong to 'Yeomdong.' A district official stated, "Since there's no negative image associated with the name, changing it could confuse residents and cause chaos."
According to the Administrative Regions Practical Manual, changing a place name must correspond to one of the following criteria: ▲ names that evoke disgust ▲ names with unpleasant sounds ▲ changes in administrative regions ▲ names that obstruct administrative duties ▲ residents' demands. Dongdaemun District will conduct this survey; if it deems the request of residents falls under this requirement, it will amend the local government ordinance to change the dong name and report the process to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. After organizing the public ledger reflecting the new name, the name change will be completed.