History of Seoul

The earliest known human settlement in the area of what is now Seoul began in the Han River basin between 3000 and 4000 bc.

Approximately 2000 years ago a town called Wiryesŏng was founded on the south bank of the Han River, eventually becoming the capital of the Paekche (Baekche) kingdom (3rd to 7th century ad).

After Paekche (Baekche) was conquered by Silla in the mid-7th century, Wiryesŏng was renamed Hansŏng.

Under the Koryŏ (Goryeo) dynasty (918-1392) the city was called Yangju, and in 1067 it became one of Koryŏ’s three secondary capitals with the designation Namgyŏng, or “southern capital.”

The city was known as Hanyang at the beginning of the Chosŏn (Joseon) dynasty (1392-1910).

In 1394 King Taejo moved his court to the city and renamed it Hansŏng; it remained the capital until the end of the Chosŏn dynasty.

In 1910 Japan annexed Korea as a colony of the Japanese Empire, and in 1911 the city was renamed Kyŏngsŏng.

The Japanese built an extensive railway network in Korea with the main railroad station in Seoul.

The city was also developed for commerce, trade, and military activity.

Shortly before the end of World War II (1939-1945), the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) agreed to divide Korea at the 38th parallel for the purpose of accepting the surrender of Japanese troops.

The city was renamed Seoul in 1945 and made capital of South Korea in 1948.

Seoul was severely damaged during the Korean War (1950-1953) between North Korea and South Korea.

The city was captured and retaken four times, and by the war’s end few buildings were left standing.

After the war the city was rapidly rebuilt, and many new streets, bridges, and skyscrapers were built in the economic boom years of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.