Melbourne’s new Koreatown precinct has been officially opened, marked by the installation of Australia’s first authentic Korean totem poles in Healeys Lane.
Standing three metres tall, the hand-carved wooden guardians – created by Master Craftsperson Jong-yeon Kim – now watch over the bustling precinct, which already hosts around 25 Korean businesses, predominantly restaurants serving authentic cuisine.
The installation solidifies Melbourne’s place alongside global cities like Los Angeles and Sydney with dedicated Korean cultural hubs.
The lane was chosen as it already hosts about 25 Korean businesses, mostly restaurants serving popular dishes like Korean BBQ and fried chicken. The City of Melbourne officially recognized the area as Koreatown last year, joining other cultural hubs like Chinatown.
“This is a proud moment for our Korean community,” said Lord Mayor Nick Reece. “These totems will become a famous landmark and attract more visitors to the area.”
The project was funded by the Korean Consulate in Melbourne. Consul-General Changhoon Yi said the totems represent the strong Korean-Australian community and cultural exchange.
More than 2,500 Koreans live in Melbourne’s city area, with 25,000 across Victoria. Interest in Korean culture is growing, with 90,000 Australians visiting South Korea last year.
Koreatown is located in Healeys Lane between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale Streets, just a 2-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station. The totems are expected to become a popular photo spot while celebrating Melbourne’s multicultural identity.
