Key takeaways
Two competing theories explain the name Suyu-dong. One holds that during the Joseon dynasty, the capital's administrative boundary extended "an added five-ri" (roughly two kilometers) beyond the traditional ten-ri boundary around Hanseong (old Seoul), reaching as far as today's Ui-dong — giving rise to the name "Gaori" (加五里, "added five-ri"). The other traces the name to "Suyuhyeon," a term for the mountain pass rising beyond Miari Pass toward Yangju. Fact The area's original name, Suyu-ri, was officially changed to Suyu-dong on March 15, 1950. Fact
What to look for on site
- Terrain reflecting the area's distance from the old capital's boundary
- Traces of the name's connection to a mountain-pass landscape
- The administrative shift from Suyu-ri to Suyu-dong
Editorial note
Rather than declaring one theory the definitive origin, present both as competing accounts.