From Korea’s First Indoor Gymnasium in 1963 to a V-League Home Court: Jangchung Gymnasium
Jangchung Gymnasium, which opened on February 1, 1963, is Korea’s first indoor gymnasium. Located in Seoul’s Jung-gu district, it is a venue where memories of boxing, professional wrestling, basketball, and ssireum coexist with the present-day V-League. It is directly connected to Exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Line 3. Admission requirements and schedules for sporting events and performances vary by event, so be sure to check the official schedule before visiting.
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Seoul’s first indoor gymnasium, carrying on the name of Jangchungdan since February 1, 1963
Jangchung Gymnasium, which opened on February 1, 1963, was the first indoor gymnasium in Korea. The name of Jangchung-dong, where the venue is located, comes from Jangchungdan (獎忠壇), established to commemorate the victims of the Eulmi Incident in 1895, and the gymnasium took its name directly from the neighborhood.
When it began as an Army Gymnasium in 1955, the facility was open-air. After the Seoul Metropolitan Government acquired it in 1959, it was developed into an indoor gymnasium. Construction began on March 16, 1960, and the building was completed in approximately two and a half years. At the time of its opening, the site measured 4,250 pyeong, and its recorded capacity was 8,000 people.
From Kim Ki-soo’s 1966 world title fight to judo at the 1988 Seoul Olympics
Jangchung Gymnasium is a stage where the popular memory of Korean sports has accumulated. In 1966, Kim Ki-soo defeated Nino Benvenuti by a decision after 15 rounds in a WBA junior middleweight bout held here, becoming Korea’s first world boxing champion.
On March 27, 1975, a professional wrestling match between Kim Il and Antonio Inoki was held here, and on April 14, 1983, the first Cheonhajangsa Ssireum Championship took place. During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, judo competitions were held here, where Kim Jae-yup won the men’s 60 kg gold medal and Lee Kyung-keun won the men’s 65 kg gold medal.
The circular court, transformed into a 4,507-seat venue after remodeling from 2012 to 2015
The current building is the result of remodeling that began in 2012, followed by reopening in 2015. It has two basement levels and three floors above ground, with a total floor area of 11,399.20㎡ and 4,507 seats. Of these, 1,324 are movable seats.
The main arena is used for indoor sports including volleyball, international conferences, events, and concerts. Since the men’s professional volleyball team Woori Card Woori WON and the women’s professional volleyball team GS Caltex Seoul KIXX play their home games here, visitor routes and parking conditions may differ during the V-League season from winter through spring.
A direct entrance route from Exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Line 3
The address is 241 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, postal code 04605. The simplest access is Exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, which is officially connected directly to the gymnasium. This route allows visitors to reach the venue without crossing the road, even on rainy days or when crowds are heavy just before an event begins.
By bus, routes N13, 144, 301, and 7212 are available at Jangchung Gymnasium bus stops 02-201 and 02-202. Circular routes 02, 03, and 05 stop at the Dongguk University Station·Jangchung-dong stop 02-222. Visitors attending games or performances should plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow sufficient time for ticketing, security, and entry procedures.
63 parking spaces, event-day restrictions on regular vehicles, and what to calculate when driving
The affiliated parking lot has 63 spaces in the regular parking area accessed toward the Shilla Hotel duty-free store. The rear entrance has 56 spaces, including two accessible spaces and three electric-vehicle spaces, while the main entrance has seven spaces, including two bus spaces. The parking lot operates from 09:00 to 24:00, and payment by credit card is required.
The fee is 400 won per five minutes, or 4,800 won per hour and 14,400 won for three hours. However, on event days such as games and performances, the organizer may operate the parking lot, restricting access for regular vehicles. If your itinerary depends on driving, check both the organizer’s notice for that day and the gymnasium’s announcements. As alternatives, Jangchung Public Parking Lot is approximately 610 m away, about a 10-minute walk, while the Dongguk University parking lot is approximately 600 m away, also about a 10-minute walk.
An accessible route supported by 40 wheelchair seats and two elevators between the station and gymnasium
Jangchung Gymnasium has 40 accessible spectator seats, two accessible parking spaces, and two accessible restrooms on the first floor. When approaching from Dongguk University Station, visitors can use the station elevator toward Exit 5, then use the underground connecting passage and the elevators inside the gymnasium. There are two elevators connecting the gymnasium.
Braille blocks, tactile maps, and emergency call buttons in the restrooms are also installed. Since wheelchair rental is advertised as available only during events, those who need to borrow one should check in advance by calling the facility office at 02-2128-2820. Visitors with infants may also wish to consult the information about the nursing room on the second floor.
Distinguishing visits to the building without an admission fee from ticketed games and performances
Jangchung Gymnasium is not a tourist attraction that charges admission every day at fixed hours like a museum. No separate general admission fee for the building itself is announced, while admission fees and entry times for V-League games, concerts, and rental events are set by each organizer. Therefore, check the event’s ticketing page or the gymnasium’s official event schedule for admission fees and visiting hours.
The main telephone number is 02-2128-2800, and inquiries about use of or rentals for the main arena can be directed to 02-2128-2814. The official website is https://www.sisul.or.kr/open_content/jangchung/ . If you plan only to attend a game, allow approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes from entry to departure. If you also plan to explore the exterior, its historical context, and the nearby Jangchung-dong restaurant district, allowing around four hours is realistic.
Before You Go
- Address
- 241 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Gymnasium and parking hours vary by event. Affiliated parking lot: 09:00–24:00
- Closed
- Varies according to the event schedule
- Admission
- No separate general admission fee for the building itself is announced; ticket prices vary by game or performance
- Phone
- 02-2128-2800
- Official site
- https://www.sisul.or.kr/open_content/jangchung/
- Transport
- Direct connection to the gymnasium from Exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Subway Line 3. Jangchung Gymnasium stops 02-201·02-202: N13, 144, 301, 7212; Dongguk University Station·Jangchung-dong stop 02-222: 02, 03, 05
- Parking
- 63-space northern affiliated parking lot, 09:00–24:00, 400 won per five minutes. Regular vehicle access may be restricted during events
- Time needed
- Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes–3 hours 30 minutes for a game or performance; approximately 4 hours including nearby attractions
- Accessibility
- 40 accessible spectator seats, two accessible parking spaces, two accessible restrooms on the first floor, two elevators connecting Dongguk University Station, Braille blocks, tactile maps, and restroom emergency call buttons. Check in advance whether wheelchair rental is available during events
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official announcements again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 2
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Jangchungdan Park -
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Food & Dining 5
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Pal Pal Sikdang -
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Maengsan Restaurant -
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