History of Seoul
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The History of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BC. Counting from now, it has a history of over 2000 years. It has been the capital of states on the Korean Peninsula since it was established.
Baekje era
When the newly established kingdom of Baekje was established on 18 BC, they built their capital at Wiryeseong. It is situated in the current Songpa district in southern Seoul. There are several city wall remains in the area dating from this time, and Pungnap Toseong, an earthen wall just outside Seoul, is widely believed to be the main Wiryeseong site.
Three kingdoms era
During the time when the Three Kingdoms fought for hegemony in Korea, the Seoul area was often contested. Control passed from Baekje to Goguryeo in the fifth century, and from Goguryeo to Silla in the sixth.
Goryeo era
It was thought that only the kingdom that controlled the Han River valley would be able to control the whole of the peninsula, because it was a centre of transportation. This was the reason why in the 11th century the ruler of the Goryeo Dynasty built a palace in Seoul, which was referred to as the "Southern Capital."
Joseon era
At the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, the capital was moved to Seoul (also known as Hanyang and later as Hanseong), where it remained until the fall of the dynasty.
Originally entirely surrounded by a massive circular wall (a 20-foot-high circular stone fortress) to provide its citizens security from wild animals such as the tiger, thieves and attacks. The city has grown beyond those walls and although the wall no longer stands (except in the mountains north of the downtown area), the gates remain near the downtown district of Seoul, including most notably Sungnyemun (commonly known as Namdaemun) and Honginjimun (commonly known as Dongdaemun). During the Joseon dynasty, the gates were opened and closed each day, accompanied by the ringing of large bells.
Japan occupation era
During the Occupation Era, Seoul was renamed as "Keijo". Many places was renamed in the Japanese way.
Korean war era
During the Korean War, Seoul changed hands between the Chinese-backed North Korean forces and the UN-backed South Korean forces several times, leaving the city heavily damaged after the war. [link] One estimate of the extensive damage states that after the war, at least 191,000 buildings, 55,000 houses, and 1,000 factories lay in ruins. [link] In addition, a flood of refugees had entered Seoul during the war, swelling the population of Seoul and its metropolitan area to an estimated 2.5 million, more than half of them homeless.
Modern era
Following the war, Seoul was the focus of an immense reconstruction and modernization effort due mainly to necessity, but also due in part to the symbolic nature of Seoul as the political and economic center of Korea. Today, the population of the Seoul area comprises 24% of the total population of South Korea, and Seoul ranks seventh in the world in terms of the number of Fortune 500 transnational companies headquartered there. [link]
Seoul was the host city of the 1988 Summer Olympics as well as one of the venues of the Football World Cup 2002.
Relocation of the capital
On August 11, 2004, the South Korean Government announced that the capital city would be located in the Gongju area as of 2007, to ease the population pressure on Seoul and to get the government to a safer distance from North Korea. The Government estimated that the move would probably not be completed before 2012 [link]. Although part of the election manifesto, this plan ignited nationwide controversy. On October 21, 2004, the Constitutional Court ruled that the special law for the relocation of the capital is unconstitutional since the relocation is a serious national matter requiring national referendum or revision of the constitution, thus effectively ending the dispute
However, late in 2004, the South Korean Government announced plans to move almost all national government branches, except the Executive Branch, to Gongju, thus evading violation of the Constitutional Court ruling and still allow Seoul to be a National Capital in name only. The plan has yet to go forward and no new announcements have arisen since then.
| Seoul History | [Education] | Politics |
|---|---|
| [Administrative Division of Seoul] | Dongdaemun-gu | Dongjak-gu | Eunpyeong-gu | Gangbuk-gu | Gangdong-gu | Gangnam-gu | Gangseo-gu | Geumcheon-gu | Guro-gu | Gwanak-gu | Gwangjin-gu | Jongno-gu | Jung-gu | Jungnang-gu | Mapo-gu | Nowon-gu | Seocho-gu | Seodaemun-gu | Seongbuk-gu | Seongdong-gu | Songpa-gu | Yangcheon-gu | Yeongdeungpo-gu | Yongsan-gu |
| Neighborhoods of Seoul |
Apgujeong |
COEX Mall |
Daehangno |
Gangnam |
Hongdae |
Idae |
Insadong |
Itaewon |
Jongno |
Myeongdong |
Seoul Station |
Sillim |
Sincheon |
Sinchon |
Yeouido | |
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