Incheon Seo-gu, Population Surges from 150,000 in 1988 to Over 600,000... Expected to Become the Largest Autonomous District Nationwide Next Year

by Park Haesook

Published 22 Apr.2023 10:00(KST)

The population of Seo-gu, Incheon has surpassed 600,000. It is the second most populous autonomous district nationwide, following Songpa-gu, Seoul (658,000 people).

Seo-gu announced on the 22nd that the total population within the district was counted at 612,828, combining 600,015 Korean nationals and 12,813 foreigners.

Seo-gu, which was separated from Buk-gu, Incheon in January 1988, had 154,000 residents across 12 legal neighborhoods at that time. It was a familiar area known as "Gaegonneo," meaning a place that could only be reached by crossing mudflats.

Since then, it has grown into the city with the largest population and the widest area in Incheon, surpassing 500,000 residents in 2015 and receiving special metropolitan city status. Currently, new residents continue to move into Geomdan and Luwon City following Cheongna International City, and development projects are underway in the Geomam Station area, as well as in Bullo, Daegok, Oryu, and Wanggil regions.

With additional population inflow due to urban development projects, Seo-gu is expected to surpass Songpa-gu's population by the end of next year, becoming the largest autonomous district in the country.

Gang Beom-seok, mayor of Seo-gu, said, "The emergence of a city with a population exceeding 600,000 is a phenomenon that will be hard to see in the future," adding, "As the city's scale has grown, we will strive to solidify the district's identity by strengthening our foundation together with the residents."

Seo-gu, Incheon [Photo by Seo-gu, Incheon]

Meanwhile, Incheon City is promoting an administrative system reform plan to separate the Geomdan area from Seo-gu.

The city views the division as inevitable due to Seo-gu's continuous population growth and plans to adjust the southern part as Seo-gu and the northern part as Geomdan-gu.

Seo-gu has the largest population and the widest area among inland regions in Incheon. Seo-gu's area (118.5 km²) is larger than the combined areas of Dong-gu (7.1 km²), Michuhol-gu (24.8 km²), Gyeyang-gu (45.5 km²), and Bupyeong-gu (32 km²).

Transportation infrastructure such as the Airport Railroad, Airport Expressway, and Ara Waterway divides Seo-gu into north and south, and the Geomdan area, which was incorporated into Seo-gu from Gimpo County in 1995, has cultural differences from other Seo-gu areas. The Seo-gu Geomdan Branch Office is located here, increasing administrative inefficiency.