Seoul is a dynamic metropolis where futuristic technology meets centuries-old traditions. Here ultra-modern skyscrapers neighbor ancient palaces, and night markets and street food create a unique atmosphere. The city impresses with its rhythm of life, fashion, innovation and rich culture.
History of the city
The word “Seoul” itself means “capital”, but throughout its history the city has changed names many times, Seoul became Seoul only in 1948.
For the first time the future Seoul acquired the capital status in 18 BC, when it became the capital of the Baekje state under the name of Viresong. But the oldest settlements on this place in the middle of the Korean peninsula, on the Hangang River, date back to the 4th millennium B.C. This is not surprising – these places were famous for their fertility, and a convenient river route along the Hangang River connected the city with the Yellow Sea.
As a result, three Korean states – Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla – competed for such beautiful lands. In the 5th century, Goguryeo took control, and in the 6th century – Silla. Later, Goguryeo, which became abbreviated as Kore (from this name comes the modern name Korea), subjugated Silla. At the time of Goryeo, the future Seoul was called Hanseong, and a fortress was built here, called the Southern Capital, which in 1076 was proclaimed one of the three most influential cities of Goryeo. The Joseon Dynasty, whose rule began in 1392, made the city its official capital under the name of Hanyang.
Korea constantly had to defend itself against stronger and more aggressive neighbors. In the 13th century it had to become a Mongol tribute, in the 16th century it had to fight against Japanese attempts to seize the country, and in the 17th century it became a vassal of the Chinese Qing Empire.
As a result of the Japanese-Chinese War of 1894-1895, Korea became a protectorate of Japan. Korea actually became a protectorate of Japan. The Japanese occupiers, who officially annexed Korea in 1910, renamed the Korean capital Keijo, or Gyeongseong in Korean transcription, and under this name it lived until its liberation from Japan at the end of World War II.
When the Republic of Korea was proclaimed on August 15, 1948, Seoul became its capital. In the same year, the division of Korea into two states, North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and South Korea (Republic of Korea), was effectively consolidated.
In 2002, South Korean President Roh Moon-hyun proposed to move the capital of the country in order to “unload” the city, which had become one of the largest in the world, and to ensure more even development of all regions of South Korea. The opposition, which opposed moving the capital, appealed to the Constitutional Court. At that time, it was decided to move only a number of administrative functions. In 2007, the South Korean government and parliament approved a plan to move the administrative capital from Seoul to Sejong, a specially created city south of Seoul.
According to the plan to relocate the capital, only three ministries and the residence of the country’s president should remain in Seoul. The rest of the government agencies, including the prime minister’s residence, will move to the new capital. Although there are still many opponents of the plan in South Korea, it is nevertheless being implemented. Thus, in 2010, the South Korean parliament once again confirmed the need to continue the capital relocation, although President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Chung Un-chang called for the plan to be abandoned. As a result, the Prime Minister resigned and the relocation of South Korea’s capital continues. The city of Sejong is expected to be “handed over” in 2012.
Korea’s history has not been conducive to the preservation of monuments. The country has been repeatedly destroyed and looted, and Seoul has suffered the same fate. Most of the ancient city’s buildings were made of wood, clay and even straw, leaving little chance of survival during fires or natural disasters.
The desire to preserve its cultural heritage with typical Asian meticulousness and attention to detail is reflected in the creation of the official list of National Treasures of Korea. It is a list of both objects and preserved monuments and geographical sites and buildings of exceptional cultural value to Korea. Compiled as early as 1938, i.e. during the Japanese occupation, the list was further expanded. It received its legal status in 1962, with additions and amendments being made, and the “treasures” on the list are numbered. Today, there are 307 numbers on the list.
The first number belongs to Namdaemun Gate, built in 1398. In 2008, an elderly Korean man tried to burn down the gate in protest against the fact that he was paid insufficient compensation for a plot of land. This event shocked Koreans – the gate was not even guarded, and no one thought it was possible to raise a hand on national treasure No. 1. The wooden part of the gate burned down: firefighters were unable to put it out in time due to water-repellent impregnation.
A Korean government official said that the monument will be restored by 2011, and 21 million dollars have been allocated for its reconstruction. However, many monuments in Korea are meticulous reconstructions of historical sites lost as a result of wars or natural disasters.
All “numbers” from the list of national treasures are necessarily indicated on monuments or buildings, in Seoul you can often find a corresponding poster, which, in addition to the number, will also explain what it is and when it was built. At the National Museum of Korea, located in Seoul, many exhibits are also listed as national treasures.
Koreans don’t worry that most of Seoul’s historic buildings are mostly just reconstructions, especially since everything is being restored using the same techniques that were used in ancient times.
The oldest surviving royal palace, Changgyeonggung, which means “palace of ardor,” was built in 1104, but in 1834 it was almost completely rebuilt after a terrible fire.
The Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex in northern Seoul, the largest palace of the Joseon Dynasty where the royal family lived, was reconstructed as early as the 1860s. Built in 1394 by Korean architect Jeon Do-jong, it was heavily damaged during the Japanese invasion in 1592. In 1911, the Japanese destroyed most of the complex’s structures again during the construction of the Governor General’s House.
Today, Gyeongbokgung retains Geunjeongjeon, the imperial throne room, as number 223 on the list of national treasures, and Gyeongharu Pavilion, located in the middle of an artificial lake on 48 granite columns, as number 224. Its image is placed on the Korean 10,000 won banknote.
Koreans maintain the historical appearance of the surviving monuments with great patience. But Seoul has been mostly rebuilt since the 1970s, when South Korea experienced rapid economic growth.
General Information
- Capital of the Republic of Korea.
- Administrative-territorial division: 25 ku (districts).
- Language: Korean.
- Ethnic composition: Koreans, a small part of Chinese.
- Religion: Buddhism, Christianity.
- Currency unit: South Korean won.
- The most important airports: Incheon international airport, Gimpo airport.
- The largest river: Hangang.
- Area: 605.25 km2.
- Population: 10,208,302 (2009).
- Population density: 16,866.2 people/km2.
Climate and weather
- Monsoonal, average temperature of January – 2.7ºC, July – 25ºC, average annual precipitation 1345 mm.
Economy
- The largest business center.
- Large transport hub.
- Mechanical engineering, electronics, construction business.
- Educational center.
- Service sector: trade, banking, tourism, telecommunications.
Attractions
- Gates: Gwanghwamun, Tehanmun, Namdaemun;
- Palaces: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Toksugung, Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghigung, Geunjongjeong;
- Museums: National Ethnographic Museum of Korea, National Museum, Tibet Museum, World Jewelry Museum, Museum of World Ethnography, Seoul History Museum, Seoul Education Museum, National Science Museum;
- Jeongmyo Royal Tomb;
- Seoul Tower (Namsan);
- Posingak Bell Tower.
Fun Facts
- Opened in 2009 in Seoul on the Hangang River, the Rainbow Fountain Bridge is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest fountain bridge in the world. The jets of the fountains are directed sideways and downward, with a minutely flow rate of 190 tons of water.
- In Seoul’s Insadong district is the World of Kimchi Exhibition Center, where you can learn all about and taste these dishes made from sauerkraut, mainly Peking cabbage.
- Seoul has the seventh largest number of headquarters of major multinational corporations in the world.
- Opened in 1974, Seoul’s subway is now one of the largest in the world, with 300 kilometers of underground tracks and about 200 stations, second only to Tokyo’s and New York’s.
- The tallest building in Korea is the 63-story skyscraper of the Taehan Sengmyeong Insurance Company, which is most often referred to simply as the “63-story building.” The height of this structure is 249 meters.
- In the Middle Ages, the guards who were on duty at Seoul’s observation tower had to light torches in case of danger. Depending on the number of lights and columns of smoke, the citizens knew how bad things were. One torch – all is well. Two – the enemy is approaching, three – has crossed the border, four – there is already a battle, five – terrible things have happened. In 1592, five torches were lit before Seoul was fully occupied by the Japanese, who almost destroyed the city.
- In 1988, Seoul hosted the XXIV Summer Olympic Games, from which the city inherited numerous sports facilities, and in 2002, Seoul became one of the places where the World Football Championship was held.
