Street named after Seoul in Teheran, Teheranno’s counterpart. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Teheranno, translated as Tehran Boulevard, is a 4km-long thoroughfare in Gangnam that stretches from Gangnam Station, through Yeoksam-dong and into Samseong-dong. It is also referred to as Tehran Valley (after Silicon Valley) as it is home to many IT companies.
The reference became popular following the Korean IT boom in 1995, when multiple software and IT companies moved into the area. With Samsung’s financial subsidiaries on its west-end and the soon-to-be-built Hyundai Global Business Center on its east-end, Teheranno will continue its evolution as a leading financial district.
Teheranno was called Samneung-ro until 1977. The new name was designated following the mayor of Tehran’s visit in 1977, and the establishment of a sisterhood relationship between the cities. Contrary to its modern stature, the road was a noiseless gravelly field at the time of the renaming.
After the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, Korea maintained a positive relationship with Iran. However, after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the relationship stalled, and some have called for the road to be renamed.
Despite the sometimes rocky relationship, both nations managed to keep their roads of friendship to this day. There is a street named after Seoul in Teheran called Seoul St., Teheranno’s counterpart. Teheran is also home to Seoul Park, built after the surging popularity of Korean culture in the Middle East.
Teheranno and its history have piqued interest in Korea after President Park’s visit to Iran on Sunday.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
