People enjoy the Gyeongchun Line Forest Park running through Gongneung-dong in northeastern Seoul's Nowon District, Nov. 29, 2025. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
This is the fourth in a series of four articles about Gongneung-dong. -ED.
Sick of a long commute out to Hongdae, Itaewon or Gangnam? Are you coming down from the northern parts of the city? You might not have to make a long trip in search of social activities after all, as Gongneung-dong transforms into a hotspot in Seoul's northeastern corner.
Located in Nowon District, this low-rise neighborhood is pushed up against the edge of the city, stretching from Jungnang Stream to up the slope of Mount Buram. Gongneung-dong gets its name from the royal tombs in the area, but the area is not nearly as quiet as a tomb.
Housing three universities, a military academy, a training complex for Korean Olympians and two UNESCO-listed royal tombs that give the neighborhood its name, the area has had a reputation for being low-key and suburban, yet also well-connected and not overly quiet. Its local businesses are frequently overrun with university students. Gongneung-dong Dokkaebi Market in the area bustles with pedestrians, comparable to some of Seoul's better preserved traditional markets, like Mangwon Market.
Three Seoul Metro stations fall within its boundaries: Gongneung Station on Line 7, Hwarangdae Station on Line 6 and Taereung Station, where both lines intersect.
Taereung houses the burial mounds of King Jungjong and Queen Munjeong. Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service
With all these factors at play, Gongneung-dong area is developing its own local character.
"It has its charm and is perhaps one of the most unique neighborhoods in Nowon District, particularly when the nearby areas of Hagye and Junggye are mostly just apartments," said Brendan Kelly, owner of the local watering spot Kelly's Pub.
"It definitely does not have the buzz of Hongdae or Yeonnam-dong, despite also being built around disused train tracks. Nevertheless, you can still see a good deal of people walking along the path when the weather is nice, and there is no shortage of cafes and places to grab a quick bite."
Source: Korea Times News
