It is the historic center of Seoul that contains Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and the Blue House, the former presidential residence.

The district is commonly referred to as the face and heart of Korea because of its important roles in politics, economics, culture, and history as the capital city.

[4] Jongno is a popular tourist destination with attractions that include the restored Cheonggyecheon stream, the traditional neighborhood of Insa-dong, the Confucian Jongmyo shrine, and Jogyesa, the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

In addition, the topography divination theory states that the new dynasty was unlucky due to its failure, and that it also moved to Hanyang with regard to water transport of rice and military geographical conditions.

The headquarters of South Korean skincare retailer, The Face Shop, is located in the LG Gwanghwamun Building on Sinmunno 2-ga.[9] The head office of Air Seoul is in the Kumho Asiana Main Tower on Sinmunno 1-ga.[10] Tourism plays a major role in Jongno's economy.

In addition, the tourist areas of Insa-Dong and Bukchon Hanok Village also attract huge numbers of visitors.

[13][14] The district was the home to the Blue House (Cheongwadae), the official residence of the president of South Korea, until 2022.

Jongno has elected three presidents to represent it in the National Assembly: Yun Posun, Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak.

However, as Democrats began to gradually gain power in the Sudogwon region in the 2010s and eventually made the region their stronghold, the party also gained power in the district due to the votes of Sungkyunkwan University students in Hyehwa-dong and residents of relatively lower income in towns such as Changsin-dong and Sungin-dong.

[16] The district was represented by Lee Nak-yon, a Democrat, former Prime Minister and leader of his party, who resigned his office to run for the Korean presidency; the city government was led by Kim Yeong-jong, a Democrat three-term mayor who served from July 2010 to November 2021.

The conservative People Power Party made a comeback in the district when Choi Jae-hyung was elected as National Assembly member for Jongno in the March 2022 by-elections.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration is located in the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno District.