Jung-gu, Seoul Designates "Chungmuro 3-ga Alley Shopping District"

15th Alley-Type Shopping District Designated

Six New Districts Added in One Year Since Ordinance Revision

Jung-gu District Office in Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gilseong) announced on June 7 that it has designated the area around 58-1, Chungmuro 3-ga as the "Chungmuro 3-ga Alley Shopping District" as of June 1. With this, the number of alley-type shopping districts in Jung-gu has increased to 15.

Improvement of the alley-type shopping district environment in Myeongdong Namsangol. Provided by Jung-gu Office.

The Chungmuro 3-ga Alley Shopping District is a popular destination for printing industry workers and office employees, and covers an area of 2,305.9 square meters, with over 40 businesses including print shops, restaurants, and cafes clustered together. Along with the nearby Eulji Myeongbo and Chungmuro alley-type shopping districts, it is expected to invigorate the Chungmuro commercial area.

The background for this designation and revitalization can be traced to the amendment of the "Ordinance on Supporting the Revitalization of Alley-Type Shopping Districts in Jung-gu" in July last year. The district office eased the designation criteria from "at least 30 stores per 2,000 square meters" to "at least 15 stores," and revised the standards to exclude roadways, public spaces, and public facility areas. This adjustment has lowered the entry barrier for smaller alley-based commercial districts.

Since then, with a surge in registration inquiries, six additional districts have been added within one year. Following the designation of Eulji Myeongbo, Namdaemun-ro, Toegye-ro, and Saint Joseph Street last year, Hipjiro and Chungmuro 3-ga have been newly added this year.

Once designated as an alley-type shopping district, businesses become eligible to affiliate with the Onnuri Gift Certificate program, which is expected to attract new consumers and increase sales. The district is also providing tailored support for each commercial area. Last year, assistance was given for the maintenance of protruding signs in Donghwa-dong shopping district, roadway painting and installation of gobo lights in Sindang 5-gil shopping district, and the creation of art-interior designs in Jangchung Namsoyeong-gil shopping district. For the Chungmuro shopping district, an LED brand sign utilizing the "Yi Sunshin 1545 Jung-gu" city brand was installed, and for the Myeongdong Namsangol shopping district, pendant landscape lighting in the shape of Namsan Tower was installed for nighttime scenery.

Opportunities for growth are also expanding. Eulji Myeongbo shopping district is aiming to transform into a cultural tourism-oriented alley commercial district by participating in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Promising Alley Commercial District Fostering Project this year. The Central Asia Street in Gwanghui-dong has been selected as a target for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's local brand fostering project while also preparing to apply for alley-type shopping district designation, laying the groundwork for a glocal (global + local) commercial area.

Kim Gilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu District, stated, "We will do our utmost to revitalize Jung-gu's alley commercial districts, each with its own unique charm, so that both merchants and residents can truly feel the benefits."

Location and panoramic view of Chungmuro 3-ga alley-type shopping district. Provided by Jung-gu Office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.