Gangseo District Launches Old Photo Contest to Unearth Local History

To Be Used as Exhibition Materials for the History and Culture Center Opening Next Year

Gangseo District in Seoul (District Mayor Jin Kyohun) is seeking to uncover the old appearances of Gangseo that have been resting in residents' photo albums. The goal is to systematically document the disappearing local landscapes and utilize them as exhibition materials for the "Gangseo History and Culture Center," which is scheduled to open next year.

The appearance of Magok District before development (1992). Provided by Gangseo District.

On December 9, the district announced that it will hold the "Rediscovering Hidden Memories in Our Neighborhood - Old Photos of Gangseo Contest" until January 30 next year. The materials collected through this contest will serve as foundational resources not only for exhibitions at the history and culture center but also for building a digital archive.

The contest is open to photographs taken in Gangseo District before the year 2000. Any scene that captures Gangseo’s past is eligible, including images of the district office and public institutions, old street views, local landmarks and cultural heritage sites, as well as residents’ daily lives and festival scenes.

However, simple personal portraits, photos taken in other regions, composite or edited images, and AI-generated images are excluded. Materials with copyright or portrait rights issues will also not be accepted.

Submissions can be made in person, by mail, or by email. Participants can submit original photos and application forms to the Culture and Arts Division of Gangseo District Office (302 Hwagok-ro), or send scanned images and application forms by email (kjseon1124@gangseo.seoul.kr).

The submitted materials will be reviewed by the department and used for permanent and special exhibitions at the history and culture center, as well as for online archival records. The selection results for exhibition pieces will be individually notified at the end of February next year, and all photos used in the exhibition will be credited with the donor’s name. However, original submissions will not be returned in order to preserve and utilize them.

Jin Kyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District, stated, "Each photo cherished by our residents becomes a valuable asset that testifies to Gangseo’s historic moments," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare so that the Gangseo History and Culture Center, which we will fill together with residents, becomes a central space that enhances the dignity of the region and safeguards Gangseo’s identity."

Gimpo Airport view (1963). Provided by Gangseo-gu.

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