Myeongdong is a major commercial district in the Jung-gu neighborhood of central Seoul, historically developed as the city's primary duty-free shopping zone following its designation as a commercial area in the 1960s. The pedestrian mall features a mix of large department stores, cosmetics boutiques, and light food stalls, replacing the former Gyeongbokgung outer gate area with a high-density retail environment designed for domestic and international visitors.