Five Seoul Districts and the Characters They Introduced in 2023

In 2023, several Seoul districts introduced new characters or named official ones. District birds, flowers and trees, along with local historic sites and traditions, formed the basis of the characters. Here are the characters of Gangdong, Seodaemun, Dobong, Dongjak and Dongdaemun districts, in order of their introduction.

Gangdong District: Ums Friends From the Amsa-dong Site

Gangdong District named Ums Friends its official district character by ordinance in March 2023. Ums Friends is made up of Umi, Bitto, Tori and Kogi. The characters were created in 2018 based on the Amsa-dong prehistoric settlement site in Seoul (Neolithic). They were used as the site's characters from 2019 and became the official district characters in 2023. In effect, the site's characters moved on to represent the whole district.

Seodaemun District: Seochi, a Magpie and a Rose

Seodaemun District began using its character Seochi in April 2023, under the eighth popularly elected local administration. Seochi is based on the magpie, the district bird, with the color of the rose, the district flower. It has been used on logos, emoticons, sculptures, merchandise and photo zones.

Dobong District: Eunbongi and Hakbongi for the 50th Anniversary

Dobong District unveiled Eunbongi and Hakbongi, together with a brand song, on July 1, 2023, marking the district's 50th anniversary. The characters were developed over about a year, based on the Banghak-dong ginkgo tree (the district tree) and the crane (the district bird). The district's tree and bird became characters side by side.

Dongjak District: Dongjaki and Gukhwassi

Dongjak District unveiled Dongjaki and Gukhwassi in July 2023, under the eighth popularly elected local administration. Their story is that Dongjaki, who used to go around alone, meets a fairy named Gukhwassi and helps residents. The characters have been used on emoticons, passport cases and name tags.

Dongdaemun District: DIDIMI, a Smart Future Hero

Dongdaemun District introduced DIDIMI as its new symbol character in 2023. DIDIMI is set up as a smart future hero carrying the traditions of Seonnongdan, Gyeongdong Market and the Yangnyeongsi herbal medicine market, and it comes in 14 variations. The district used its old places and markets as the basis for a futuristic hero.

Birds and Flowers, Historic Sites and Markets

Each of the five districts' characters started from something that symbolizes the district. Seodaemun District drew on its bird and flower, and Dobong District on its tree and bird. Gangdong District built on a Neolithic site, Dongdaemun District on the traditions of Seonnongdan and its markets, and Dongjak District added a story of two characters meeting.