Seoul

Lore & Background

Seoul's history traces back to 18 BC when it was founded by the people of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. During the Joseon dynasty, Seoul was officially designated as the capital, surrounded by the Fortress Wall of Seoul. In the early 20th century, Seoul was occupied by the Empire of Japan, temporarily renamed 'Keijō' ('Gyeongseong' in Korean). The Korean War brought fierce battles, with Seoul changing hands four times and leaving the city mostly in ruins. Nevertheless, the city has since undergone significant reconstruction and rapid urbanization. The de facto administrative capital has gradually switched to the planned city of Sejong City, which opened in 2012 and is located about 121 kilometers further south. As of 2019, Sejong hosts 10 out of the South Korean government's 18 ministries. Despite this, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled in 2004 that the Special Act on the Relocation of the Administrative Capital was unconstitutional, affirming Seoul's status as the national capital under an 'unwritten constitutional custom'.

In Their Own Story

Rain slicks Insadong's cobblestones, turning paper lanterns into shimmering pools of amber on the pavement. An elderly man in a crisp hanbok glides past a café where teenagers stream live content, their faces washed in the cool blue glow of smartphones. A few blocks away, Myeongdong erupts in a kaleidoscope of neon; massive LED screens pulse with luxury ads that bathe the night sky in shifting hues. The savory smoke of charcoal-grilled meat mingles with the earthy drift of incense from a nearby temple. In Seoul, time refuses to move in a straight line—it folds over itself, letting the Joseon past and the digital future occupy the same breath.

Reader's Guide

Seoul was rated Asia's most livable city, with the second-highest quality of life globally according to Arcadis in 2015 and a GDP per capita (PPP) of approximately $40,000. 15 Fortune Global 500 companies, including industry giants such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, are headquartered in the Seoul Capital Area, which has major technology hubs, such as Gangnam and Digital Media City. Seoul is ranked seventh in the Global Power City Index and the Global Financial Centres Index, and is one of the five leading hosts of global conferences. The city has also hosted major events such as the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Summer Olympics, and the 2010 G20 Seoul summit, in addition to three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Seoul is geographically set in a mountainous and hilly terrain, with Bukhansan positioned on its northern edge. Within the Seoul Capital Area lie five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo, Namhansanseong, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty. Furthermore, Seoul has witnessed a surge in modern architectural development, with iconic landmarks including the N Seoul Tower, the 63 Building, the Lotte World Tower, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Lotte World, the Trade Tower, COEX, IFC Seoul, and Parc1. Seoul was named World Design Capital 2010 and has served as the national hub for the music, entertainment, and cultural industries that have propelled K-pop and the Korean Wave to international prominence.

Did You Know?

• The word 'seoul' is a native Korean common noun simply meaning 'capital city.'
• Seoul was known historically as Wiryeseong, Bukhansan-gun, Namcheon, Hanyang, Namgyeong, and Hanseong.
• On 18 January 2005, the Seoul Metropolitan Government changed Seoul's official Chinese name from Hànchéng to Shǒu'ěr.
• Seoul has no inherently corresponding Hanja because it is not a Sino-Korean word.