Americans were the largest group of foreign visitors this year to Gwangju’s Dongmyeong-dong, a neighbourhood of cafes, restaurants and independent shops that South Korea is promoting as part of a government push to draw international tourists beyond Seoul, the Korea Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) said on November 9.
Dongmyeong-dong is one of six districts selected this year for the Glocal Commercial District Project, run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and SEMAS to give local commercial areas the character and services to attract domestic and foreign visitors. Among the six main source countries for foreign foot traffic in the district, Americans ranked first, according to SEMAS.
The district, in the south-western city of Gwangju, combines the food culture of Gwangju and South Jeolla province with cafes, local brand stores and craft workshops run by young creators. SEMAS likened it to Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
The project is developing the whole area as a “K-Local Brand Stage”, linking local food, cafe and craft brands with foreign travellers and adding global payment options, tax-free shopping and tourism products.
The other districts selected this year are Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju, Gyodong in Daegu, Seorak Rodeo in Sokcho, Octopus 1955 in Yeongju and the Seogwipo Central Commercial District on Jeju.
The push comes as more foreign visitors look past the capital. US orders for South Korea eSIMs rose 65.9% in the first eight months of 2026, and 88.1% from Canada, according to Airalo, which credited demand for beauty, medical and wellness trips. ET’s destination spotlight on Korea beyond Seoul looks at the regional heartland.
SEMAS is a South Korean public institution that supports small business owners, traditional markets and local commercial districts.
