Seoul to transform Central Asian enclave into tourism hub

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Seoul to transform Central Asian enclave into tourism hub

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By

Jhoo Dong-chan

Published

Apr 24, 2026 11:37 am

KST

The Central Asian Street in Gwanghui-dong of Seoul's Jung District / Courtesy of Seoul Jung District Office

The Jung District Office announced a plan to transform Central Asian Street in Gwanghui-dong, near Dongdaemun Market, into a specialized cultural and tourism hub, part of a two-year initiative to revitalize the commercial district through 2027.

The project, a partnership between the district, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation, will be supported by an investment of 1 billion ($674,000).

Located near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, the 23,000-square-meter district comprises roughly 250 businesses. The area is a rare pocket of Central Asian culture in the capital, where Uzbek, Russian and Mongolian restaurants operate alongside traditional Korean eateries near landmarks like Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the Cheonggye Stream.

Unlike the usual practice of selecting sites through a competitive bidding process, the street was directly designated for inclusion in the city’s commercial development program. Officials said the decision was based on the neighborhood’s cultural diversity, as well as its potential to strengthen and complement Seoul’s wider “K-Culture Creative Town” initiative in the Dongdaemun district, which aims to expand the area’s appeal as a cultural and tourism destination.

The first phase of the plan includes the installation of nighttime lighting and signage, as well as the formation of a local merchants' association. The Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation will manage the district’s branding, which is expected to include a food festival, multilingual maps and docent-led tours. The city government will also provide consulting for small business owners and training for local entrepreneurs.

By 2027, the project is slated to enter its final stage, with the establishment of a formal commercial council and the development of specialty products unique to the neighborhood.

“We will actively support the Central Asian Street in Gwanghui-dong — Seoul’s own Silk Road — so that it can become a global commercial district beloved by both residents and visitors,” said Kim Kil-sung, mayor of Jung District.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.