It is the site of Yongsan Garrison, a large United States military base which, as of 2021, has gradually been wound down with the US forces being moved to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.

Yongsan is located next to the Han River, with level ground in the west of the district which has been used for transportation (rail) and commercial use since the early 20th century.

This low-lying area has been prone to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, a common issue with most of the low lying riverside districts in the city.

The oldest recorded mention of Yongsan is in a fable about two dragons that appeared over the Han River in the 21st year of King Giru's reign during the Baekje Dynasty.

[7] During the Joseon period, Yongsan served as an entry point to the city of Seoul for seaborne travelers and merchants, with a small port facility in operation by the Han River.

[8] Yongsan was designated an "open district" by the Korean government in 1884 and subsequently a foreign community established itself in the area, consisting of French, Chinese and Japanese missionaries.

The Presidential office and residence, as well as other related agencies, were moved from the Blue House in Jongno District in 2022, during the term of President Yoon Suk-Yeol.

The large garrison, which has provided extensive services to US army personnel for over 60 years, is also the site of the US embassy housing compound.

However, given its strategic importance and its symbolic nature in reassuring South Korea of US commitment to mutual defence and security, at least one US army brigade will remain to the north of Seoul to counteract the loss of the Yongsan Garrison.

In addition, a small segment of the garrison will remain under US-ownership specifically to keep the Dragon Hill Lodge open, an important piece of infrastructure catering mainly to US military, government and associated personnel visiting Korea, and to eventually relocate the US Embassy here from its current location at Gwanghwamun.

[21] Since then, negotiations between South Korea and the US over transfer of the land have taken place with the issue of relocating to Pyeongtaek and contamination of the Yongsan site causing delays to the plan.

The area around Seoul Station and Yongsan Station is dominated by large corporations and KOSPI 200 companies based in Yongsan include Amore Pacific, Orion Confectionery, Cheil Worldwide, HYBE Corporation and Hyundai Development Company.

[25] The Yongsan area has seen considerable development since the mid-2010s with the addition of upmarket apartment buildings are high grade office space.

On the west side of Yongsan is Seoul Dragon City, a new multi-tenant hotel development which is planned as the first phase of a major redevelopment project on the site of the disused railroad marshaling yard.

Hannam-dong is an upmarket area to the east of the district and is the location of some of the most expensive real estate in Seoul, along with galleries and restaurants.

[26] Itaewon's popularity began to diversify and increase in the 1980s as international attention focused on Seoul and the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics.

To the south of the station are more shops and multi ethnic cuisines influenced by the presence of Seoul Central Mosque.

[31] Galleria recently opened a new department store in Hannam-dong which is partially focused on VIP customers and luxury goods.

[33] Young people gathered in the alleyway of Han River-ro 2-ga between Yongsan Station and the triangular area since the establishment of AmorePacific New Building.

The street, where cute cafes and restaurants remodeled nearby houses were created one by one, began to be called "Yongridan-gil."

Both stations serve KTX, ITX, Mugunghwa and tourist services connecting the district with most parts of the country.