In 1914, Yangcheon County and Gimpo County were merged. Yangcheon County was separated into two towns (Yangdong and Yangseo). Kimpo Airfield was constructed in 1939 during the
Japanese Imperial period for use by the
Imperial Japanese Army. The airfield was a key asset during the
Korean War, changing hands three times before being recaptured and held by UN forces in February 1951 for the duration of the war. Designated K-14 by the
United States Air Force, it hosted several U.S. fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance units, notably
F-86 Sabre which would engage in air combat in
MiG Alley in the northwestern part of North Korea. In 1958, the government decreed that the airfield would serve all commercial flights into Seoul, a role until then filled by
Yeouido Airport. After the completion of the terminal at Gimpo, Yeouido was demolished. In 1963, Yangdong and Yangseo towns were incorporated into
Yeongdeungpo District, which includes
Gimpo International Airport. In 1973, Gyeyang and Ojeong towns of
Bucheon were transferred to Gimpo. In 1989, parts of Gyeyang town were ceded to
Incheon, giving Incheon a border with southwestern Seoul. The Geomdan area was transferred to Incheon in 1995. In 1998, Gimpo was promoted to a city (
si). A major new development, the Gimpo Han River New Town, was announced in 2003, significantly increasing the population of the city since its construction. A two-car light rail system, the
Gimpo Goldline, opened in 2019 to improve transportation to the New Town and to encourage population growth. The line operates between
Yangchon station and
Gimpo International Airport station, where transfers are available to
AREX,
Korail, and
Seoul Metropolitan Subway services. ==Climate==