The City of Seoul - South Korean Capital
By John Hacking
Over 20 million Koreans live in and around Seoul, yet it is one
of few a cities that has successfully preserved its buildings
from the past and integrated them into the skyline of a growing
global city.
Seoul is loud and bustling, as befits one of the most densely
populated metropolises on Earth. Lines of cars and throngs of
people press their way through the cavernous streets. Oversized
illuminated advertising marks the way, selling products in a
foreign script. The subway system is Seoul's new and perfectly
organized underworld. In the midst of all this chaos, visitors
may suddenly come upon an oasis of stillness in one of the
country's numerous temples, parks and pavilions.
City on the river.
Seoul was founded in 1394, following the demise of the Koryo
Kingdom (1392). Its progress was long associated with the rise
and success of the Choson dynasty (1392-1910). After searching
for a suitable location for his city, King Taejo, better known
as Yi Seonggye, decided on the north bank of the Han River. A
small village named Hanyang was the only settlement in the area
at that time. The name of the renowned Hanyang University, one
of over 300 institutions of higher learning in Seoul, recalls
that small village.
A modern sports city.
Contemporary Seoul came into existence during the first half of
the twentieth century, and largely through the influence of the
Japanese. The old city wall gave way to modern buildings, with
only the ancient city gates preserved. After the catastrophic
Korean War (1950-1953), nearly all of Seoul had to be rebuilt.
From that point onward, Seoul grew at a very rapid pace. The
city underwent massive changes, at times with little planning
and consideration of their long-term impact. Trams ran until
1968, only to disappear almost overnight. They were quickly
replaced by an underground subway system. The economic upswing
of 1988 that followed in the wake of the Seoul Summer Olympic
Games was a boon to the cultural, financial and sporting life of
the city, and the sports world again turned its eyes to Seoul in
2002, when the FIFA World Cup football championship was held
here.
Kings' palaces with curious names.
But Seoul is much more than a showcase for sporting events. it
is the cultural heart of South Korea, where universities,
theatres, museums and more abound.
When Seoul was founded in 1394, the Gyeongbokgung (Palace of
Shining Happiness) was the first royal residence built.
Happiness did not, unfortunately, shine on the palace and its
inhabitants forever.
Serfs burned the palace to the ground in 1592, and the death of
Queen Min in 1895 led to the relocation of the royal family to
Deoksugung (Palace of Virtuous Longevity). In 1997, the
Changdeokgung (Palace of Prospering Virtue) was added to the
UNESCO World Heritage List.
It was built as an addition to Gyeongbokgung, and was the only
structure destroyed in the 1592 uprising that was immediately
rebuilt. Until 1872 and again from 1907 to 1910, it served as
the seat of government of the Korean kings. The Secret Garden of
Biwon is also especially worth seeing. The impressive burial
cairns of King Sejo and his wife Yun Chon-hi are located there,
just 30 km north of the city.
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