Seoul

Seoul (Hangul: 서울) is the over 600 year old enduring capital of Korea. It is now a special city. Since the establishment of Republic of Korea – better known as South Korea – in 1948, it became the capital of the country, except for a short time during Korean War. It is located in the northwest of the country below the DMZ, on the Han River. The city is the political, cultural, social and economical centre of South Korea.

With about 10 million registered citizens living within its 237 square miles, the city of Seoul is one of the most populated cities in the world that human civilization has yet known. Its density has allowed it to become one of the most digitally-wired cities in today's globally connected economy. It also has more than 1 million registered vehicles which cause isolated traffic-jams beyond midnight.

History

The history of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BC. In that year the newly established kingdom of Baekje built its capital Wiryesung in the Seoul area. The ruin of Wiryesung is still preserved in Seoul. During the time when the three kingdoms fought for hegemony in Korea, Seoul was often the site where disputes were carried out.

It was thought that only the kingdom who controls the area around Seoul is able to control the whole of the peninsula, because it was 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.

This city was renamed from Hanyang (漢陽) to Hanseong (漢城) when it became the capital of the Joseon Dynasty in 1394 (it is still known by this name in the Chinese language). It was renamed Gyeongseong (京城 -- Keijo in Japanese) during the Japanese Colonial Period, and finally given the name Seoul after the 1945 liberation. The word Seoul has been used since the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D.935). Seoul was originated from the archaic words of 'seobeol' or 'seorabeol'. Both were referred to Gyeongju, then capital of Silla, and meant the capital or capital city. Then it was transliterated into several types reflecting slight changes over time and has finally firmed up to Seoul. The Hanja gyeong (京) also means "capital" and is used to represent Seoul in the names of railway lines and freeways (for example, the Gyeongbu (Seoul-Busan) railway line and Gyeongin (Seoul-Incheon) freeway.

After independence, some nationalists have insisted that gyeong should be replaced with seo, the first syllable of Seoul. In this case, however, one cannot tell Seobu (서釜, Seoul-Busan) from another Seobu (西部, "western") in Hangul, so the proposal was withdrawn.

Originally entirely surrounded by a massive circular wall (a 20 feet high circular stone fortress) to provide security its citizens from wild animals such as the Korean Tiger (Siberian Tiger, once roaming the wilds of Korea in large numbers; although it vanished from the peninsula long ago, its memory has been preserved in both myth and legend), thieves and attacks. The city has grown to surpass 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 (more commonly known as Namdaemun) and Dongdaemun. During the Joseon dynasty, each entrance was opened and closed each day, by ringing large bells, to allow traffic.

Seoul was the host city of the 1988 Summer Olympics as well as the Football World cup 2002.

Geography

The traditional heart of Seoul is the old Joseon Dynasty city, which is now the downtown area, where most palaces, government offices, corporate headquarters, hotels and traditional markets are located. This area occupies the valley of Cheonggyecheon (청계천), a now-covered stream that runs from west to east through the valley before emptying into the Han River. To the north of downtown is Bukhan Mountain, and to the south is the smaller Namsan ("South Mountain"). Further south are the old suburbs of Yongsan-gu and Mapo-gu, and the Han River. Across the Han River are the newer and wealthier areas of Gangnam-gu and surrounding neighbourhoods. The World Trade Center of Korea is located in Gangnam-gu and this is where many expositions and conferences are held. Also in Gangnam-gu is the Coex Mall that is a famous indoor mall area where many young Koreans enjoy spending time with friends. Yeouido is a large island in the middle of the Han River, downstream from Gangnam-gu, and is home to the National Assembly, the major broadcasting studios, and a number of large office buildings. The Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park, and Lotte World are located in Songpa-gu, on the south side of the Han River, upstream from Gangnam-gu. South of the sprawling Gangnam area are Namhan Mountain and Gwanak Mountain.

Urban and civil planning was a key concept when Seoul was first designed to serve as a capital in the 14th century. The Royal Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty still remain in Seoul, with the main palace (Gyeongbukgung) currently being restored to its original form. Today, there exist 9 major efficient subway lines stretching for more than 100 kilometres which connects the greater Seoul Metropolitan area, with a 10th line being planned.

There are many significant streets to Seoul, but the most historically significant is Jongno - meaning the "Bell Street" - where 'jong' means a bell, and 'no' means a street. This bell signalled different time of the day and therefore controlled the four gates to the city. It is still intact in its original form, and hit ceremonially at 0:00 every new years day. Seoul's most important streetcar line ran along Jongno until it was replaced by Line 1 of the Seoul subway system in the early 1970s. Other notable streets in downtown Seoul include Euljiro (을지로), Sejongno (세종로), Chungmuro (충무로), Yulgongno (율곡로), and Toegyero (퇴계로).

Administration

Seoul is divided into 25 gu (구 "districts"), which are sub-divided into 15267 dong, which are further divided into 112,734 ban in total.

• Dobong-gu (도봉구; 道峰區)
• Dongdaemun-gu (동대문구; 東大門區)
• Dongjak-gu (동작구; 銅雀區)
• Eunpyeong-gu (은평구; 恩平區)
• Gangbuk-gu (강북구; 江北區)
• Gangdong-gu (강동구; 江東區)
• Gangnam-gu (강남구; 江南區)
• Gangseo-gu (강서구; 江西區)
• Geumcheon-gu (금천구; 衿川區)
• Guro-gu (구로구; 九老區)
• Gwanak-gu (관악구; 冠岳區)
• Gwangjin-gu (광진구; 廣津區)
• Jongno-gu (종로구; 鍾路區)
• Jung-gu (중구; 中區)
• Jungnang-gu (중랑구; 中浪區)
• Mapo-gu (마포구; 麻浦區)
• Nowon-gu (노원구; 蘆原區)
• Seocho-gu (서초구; 瑞草區)
• Seodaemun-gu (서대문구; 西大門區)
• Seongbuk-gu (성북구; 城北區)
• Seongdong-gu (성동구; 城東區)
• Songpa-gu (송파구; 松坡區)
• Yangcheon-gu (양천구; 陽川區)
• Yeongdeungpo-gu (영등포구; 永登浦區)
• Yongsan-gu (용산구; 龍山區)

Historic sites and tourism

The Joseon Dynasty built the "Five Grand Palaces" in Seoul, namely:

• Changdeokgung (창덕궁; 昌德宮)
• Changgyeonggung (창경궁; 昌慶宮)
• Deoksugung (덕수궁; 德壽宮)
• Gyeongbokgung (경복궁; 景福宮)
• Gyeonghuigung (경희궁; 慶熙宮)

There is also a minor palace:

• Unhyeongung (운현궁; 雲峴宮)

Other sites include:

• Samjeondo Monument

Higher Education

There is a large number of universities in Seoul. Seoul National University is considered the country's most prestigious university and is highly sought after. The other universities of the city are: Yonsei University, Sung Kyun Kwan University, King Sejong University (named after King Sejong the Great of Joseon), Korean National University of Physical Education, Korean National University of Arts, Korea University, Chungang University, Chugye University for the Arts, Dankuk University, Dongduk University, Dongduk Women's University, Duksung Women's University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hansung University, Hanyang University, Hanyang Women's University, Hong-ik University, Induk University, Konkuk University, Kookmin University, Kang-woon University, Kyunggi University, Kyunghee University, Myongji University, Sahmyook University, Sangmyung University, Seogyeong University, Seoul University, Seoul Women's University, Sogang University, Songshin Women's University, Sookmyung Women's University, Soongsil University

Airports

There are two airports in Seoul. Gimpo Airport in Gimpo used to be the only and main airport for Seoul. It also served as the country’s gateway to the world. The recent development of the Incheon International Airport in Incheon has changed the role of Gimpo Airport significantly. Incheon now is responsible for almost all international flights, while Gimpo serves mostly domestic flights. This has lead to a significant drop in flights from Gimpo Airport.

External links

• Korea.net by Korean Overseas Information Service
• Seoul Now
• Seoul Metropolitan Government
• Highlights of Seoul : by Korean National Tourism Organization