40-step stairway, Historical stairway in Jung District, South Korea

The 40-step stairway is a staircase in Jungang-dong, Jung District, Busan, made of forty steps. It was built between 1909 and 1912 and was originally located about 25 m from its current site; it was later moved. As the surrounding residential area grew, the stairs were narrowed to about 1 m in width.

The stairway was built between 1909 and 1912. During the Korean War (1950–1953), refugees formed a shanty town around it, and it became a marketplace and a landmark where separated families agreed to meet for reunification. In 1993 a monument stone was placed in front of the steps, and in 2004 the surrounding area was turned into a tourist street and renovated.

The stairway holds an exhibition center with photographs and objects showing how people lived during the Korean War refugee crisis of the 1950s. Visitors walking through can see these items and understand the stories of families who gathered in this location.

You can reach the steps easily through exit 11 of Jungang Station on Metro Line 1. The site stays open throughout the year, making it accessible regardless of the season.

The staircase appears in the opening scene of the 1999 film Nowhere to Hide (인정사정 볼 것 없다), which brought it to wide public attention. It was also originally located about 25 m from its present site before being moved.