Free to follow every thread. No paywall, no dead ends.
Seoul: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Foundations And Early History —
Seoul.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Human habitation in the area now known as Seoul dates back 30,000 to 40,000 years. Archaeological evidence from the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site reveals that people lived in huts with lowered floors called umjip around 4,000 B.C. By 3,000 B.C., communities were consuming cooked grain and fish. Around 1,500 B.C., these groups transitioned into the Bronze Age and began farming at scale. The collapse of Wiman Joseon between 194 and 108 B.C. sent numerous refugees south to the Han River basin. These diverse peoples brought culture and technology from the Chinese Warring States, accelerating the region's progress into the Iron Age. Jin disintegrated, and dozens of statelets emerged that competed for influence in the Han River basin. Baekje became the dominant local power by the 2nd century A.D. Its capital was Wiryeseong, located within the bounds of modern-day southeastern Seoul. This specific location remains uncertain but is believed to lie within the ramparts P'ungnapt'osong and Mongchontoseong.
Dynastic Planning And Architecture
Yi Seong-gye chose Hanyang as the new capital of Korea in September 1394 after founding the Joseon dynasty. Construction of the city began in October 1394. Major palaces including Gyeongbokgung were finished in 1395 during early construction stages. The Fortress Wall surrounding Hanyang was partially completed around 1396. The Hanseongbu agency governed the city and divided it into two major categories: areas inside the Fortress Wall called Doseong-an and areas 10 Ri around the wall named Seongjeosimni. The Doseong-an area later gained the informal name Seodaemun-an meaning 'areas inside of the Four Great Gates'. It became the one and only downtown of Hanyang city. In the late 19th century, Seoul opened its gates to foreigners and began modernization. The city became the first in East Asia to introduce electricity in the palace established by the Edison Illuminating Company. A decade later the city also implemented electrical street lights. The Joseon dynasty built five grand palaces including Changdeokgung which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
Colonial Rule And War Devastation
After the annexation treaty in 1910, Japan renamed the city Keijō. Imperial Japan removed the city walls and paved roads while building Western-style buildings. On the 1st of October 1910, Imperial Japan demoted Seoul as no different than any other city within the Gyeonggi Province. In the 1930s, Yeongdeungpo District was annexed into Seoul on the 1st of April 1936 to function as an industrial complex for steel and metalworking factories. During the Korean War, Seoul changed hands four times between North Korean forces and American-backed South Korean forces. The city fell to the North Koreans in June 1950 during the First Battle of Seoul. UN forces recaptured it in September 1950 during the Second Battle of Seoul. A combined Chinese-North Korean force took control again in January 1951 during the Third Battle of Seoul. Finally, UN forces recaptured the city once more in Operation Ripper during the spring of 1951. After the war, at least 191,000 buildings, 55,000 houses, and 1,000 factories lay in ruins. A flood of refugees entered Seoul during the war swelling the population to an estimated 1.5 million by 1955.
Rapid Reconstruction And Urbanization
Following the war, Seoul began to focus on reconstruction and modernization. As South Korea's economy started to grow rapidly from the 1960s, urbanization accelerated and workers moved to Seoul. In 1963, Seoul went through two major expansions that established the shape and size of present-day Seoul. In August 1963, Seoul annexed parts of Yangju-gun, Gwangju-gun, Siheung-gun, Gimpo-gun, and Bucheon-gun expanding the northeastern borders. In September, Seoul again annexed present-day Gangnam. The two consecutive expansions more than doubled the size of Seoul from approximately 248 square kilometers to 605 square kilometers. Gangnam's development was spurred by key infrastructure projects including the construction of the Hannam Bridge between 1966 and 1969 and the Gyeongbu Expressway from 1968 to 1970. Then Seoul mayor Kim Hyun-ok ordered construction of an expressway that doubled as embankment which became the present-day Gangbyeon Expressway. Construction started in March 1967 and completed in September of the same year.
Global Events And Cultural Rise
Seoul hosted the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. It also served as one of the host cities for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The Korea World Trade Center Complex comprising COEX mall, congress center, three Inter-continental hotels, Business tower, Residence hotel, Casino and City airport terminal was established in 1988 in time for the Seoul Olympics. Seoul has been named the World Design Capital in 2010. The city serves as the national hub for music entertainment and cultural industries that have propelled K-pop and the Korean Wave to international prominence. In October 2012, KBS Hall in Seoul hosted major international music festivals including First ABU TV and Radio Song Festivals within frameworks of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union 49th General Assembly. Seoul has hosted Ultra Music Festival Korea an annual dance music festival that takes place on the second weekend of June since 2015. The city is home to major South Korean networks including KBS SBS and MBC along with major newspapers like The Chosun Ilbo and The Dong-A Ilbo.
Modern Infrastructure And Technology
Seoul has been described as the world's most wired city ranked first in technology readiness by PwC's Cities of Opportunity report. The capital of South Korea has the world's highest fiber-optic broadband penetration and highest global average internet speeds of 26.1 Mbit/s. Since 2015, Seoul has provided free Wi-Fi access in outdoor spaces through a 47.7 billion won project covering 10,430 parks streets and other public places. Internet speeds in some apartment buildings reach up to 52.5 Gbit/s with assistance from Nokia. The average standard consists of 100 Mbit/s services while providers nationwide are rapidly rolling out 1Gbit/s connections at the equivalent of US$20 per month. In January 2024 Seoul Metro announced plans for extensive pollution reduction measures across its network whose passengers numbered approximately 7 million a day. The subway system provides 4G LTE Wi-Fi and DMB inside subway cars. Five percent will be introduced commercially in March 2019 in Seoul. The comprehensive urban railway network includes 21 rapid transit light metro and commuter lines that interconnect every district of the city.
When did human habitation begin in the area now known as Seoul?
Human habitation in the area now known as Seoul dates back 30,000 to 40,000 years. Archaeological evidence from the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site reveals that people lived in huts with lowered floors called umjip around 4,000 B.C.
Who founded the Joseon dynasty and when was Hanyang established as its capital?
Yi Seong-gye chose Hanyang as the new capital of Korea in September 1394 after founding the Joseon dynasty. Construction of the city began in October 1394 and major palaces including Gyeongbokgung were finished in 1395 during early construction stages.
What happened to Seoul during the Korean War between 1950 and 1951?
Seoul changed hands four times between North Korean forces and American-backed South Korean forces during the Korean War. The city fell to the North Koreans in June 1950 during the First Battle of Seoul and UN forces recaptured it again in Operation Ripper during the spring of 1951.
How did Seoul expand its size in 1963 through annexations?
In August 1963, Seoul annexed parts of Yangju-gun, Gwangju-gun, Siheung-gun, Gimpo-gun, and Bucheon-gun expanding the northeastern borders. In September, Seoul again annexed present-day Gangnam which more than doubled the size of Seoul from approximately 248 square kilometers to 605 square kilometers.
When was Seoul named the World Design Capital and what international events has it hosted?
The city has been named the World Design Capital in 2010 and served as one of the host cities for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It also hosted the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics while establishing the Korea World Trade Center Complex in 1988.