Residents Express High Dissatisfaction with Station Names Detached from Local Reality... Proposed Revised Name 'Bulamsan Station' to Reflect Local Attractions and Station Area Development... District Naming Committee Approval Obtained, Final Review by Seoul City Pending
Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it is promoting the renaming of Danggogae Station on Subway Line 4.
This is because there are many complaints from residents that the station name is out of touch with reality and fixes the area's image as a rundown place.
The name Danggogae Station originates from a legend that the place where people passing through the hill in this area used to stack stones they carried on their bodies became a Seonghwangdang (Shinangdang). As the origin suggests, ‘Danggogae’ was one of the common place names during the traditional era rather than a unique characteristic of this area. In the 'Seoul Place Name Dictionary' published by the Seoul History Compilation Institute, the name Danggogae appears as an old name for places like Changsin-dong and Yongmun-dong. Currently, the most famous Danggogae is the Catholic martyrdom site in Singye-dong.
Even at the time Danggogae Station opened, ‘Danggogae’ was already an unfamiliar name to residents, and voices expressing discomfort with its connection to folk beliefs have been steadily raised. The recent changes are closely related to the redevelopment promotion project underway in Sangye 3 and 4-dong, where Danggogae Station is located.
Once the edge of northeastern Seoul and a hillside neighborhood, Sangye 3 and 4-dong are undergoing redevelopment promotion projects in six zones. Among them, Zones 4 and 6 have already been completed, and large apartment complexes have been occupied. As residential complex maintenance and urban development continue in the remaining zones, the environment around the station area is changing significantly. The name Danggogae Station, which evokes the image of a rundown neighborhood, is increasingly seen as inconsistent with the area's reality.
In fact, according to the results of resident opinion surveys conducted from May to July, a high proportion of residents, especially those newly moved in after redevelopment, agreed on the need to rename the station. A district official explained, "These resident opinion survey results reflect the changes in the station area's environment," and also noted that the disappearance of the original object used for the station name caused confusion among citizens.
To promote the renaming of Danggogae Station, the district has been proceeding with the process since the first half of this year. In March, after a public contest for new station names, 30 names were proposed. Following the selection of name candidates and further resident opinion surveys, the Nowon-gu Place Name Committee was held in July. The committee concluded that the reason for renaming Danggogae Station was ‘appropriate’ and decided that ‘Bulamsan Station’ was a suitable new name. ‘Bulamsan Station’ was also the preferred candidate by the majority in the resident opinion survey.
The renaming of Danggogae Station must be finalized after review by the Seoul City Place Name Committee and a decision by the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Department, followed by official notification in the city gazette.
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “It is a meaningful decision that residents’ opinions have gathered regarding a name that does not fit the changing local conditions through the natural environment of Bulamsan and the redevelopment of residential complexes,” adding, “Just like the 2013 renaming of ‘Seongbuk Station’ to ‘Kwangwoon University Station’ to better reflect reality, we will strive to restore a new station name that fits the identity of Sangye 3 and 4-dong.”
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