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History of Seoul Timeline

(18 BC – Present)

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has served as a political and cultural center for over 2,000 years. Established as the capital of the Baekje kingdom (18 BC), it became the capital of the Joseon Dynasty in 1394 under the name Hanyang. The city endured Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), was heavily damaged during the Korean War (1950-1953), and transformed into one of the world's largest metropolitan economies through rapid industrialization in the late 20th century. Less

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Early History

King Sukjong builds a palace near present-day Gyeongbokgung

1104

In 1104, King Sukjong of the Goryeo Dynasty built a palace near present-day Gyeongbokgung, which was then referred to as Namgyeong (남경; 南京) or 'Southern Capital'.

Image source: History of Seoul

King Sukjong builds a palace near present-day Gyeongbokgung

Seoul designated the Southern Capital (Namgyeong)

1104

The area near present-day Seoul was referred to during this period as Namgyeong, or 'Southern Capital', marking its early significance within the Goryeo Dynasty.

Joseon Era

City known as Hanseong under Joseon rule

1394

Under the Joseon Dynasty, the capital was later called Hanseong (한성, 漢城), meaning 'Fortress city [on] the Han [River]'.

Seoul serves as capital throughout the Joseon Dynasty

1394

Seoul remained the capital of Korea from its designation in 1394 until the fall of the Joseon Dynasty, serving as the political and cultural center of the kingdom.

Image source: Joseon

Seoul serves as capital throughout the Joseon Dynasty

Capital moved to Hanyang at the start of the Joseon Dynasty

1394

At the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, the capital was moved to Seoul, also known as Hanyang, where it remained until the fall of the dynasty.

Modernization

Seoul opens its gates to foreigners and begins modernizing

1880

In the late 19th century, after hundreds of years of isolation, Seoul opened its gates to foreigners and began a period of rapid modernization.

Angus Hamilton praises the streets of Seoul

1904

In 1904, an American named Angus Hamilton visited the city and remarked: 'The streets of Seoul are magnificent, spacious, clean, admirably made and well-drained.'

Colonial Period

City renamed Keijō under colonial rule

1910 - 1945

While Korea was under Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945), the city was called Keijō (京城; Korean: 경성; RR: Gyeongseong; MR: Kyŏngsŏng), literally meaning 'capital city' in Hanja.

Image source: Keijō

City renamed Keijō under colonial rule

Government-General Building serves as colonial government seat

1926 - 1995

The Government-General Building served as the seat of the colonial government of Colonial Korea until it was torn down in 1995.

Image source: Government-General of Chōsen Building

Government-General Building serves as colonial government seat

Territorial Expansion

Outer districts annexed to neighboring Goyang County

1914

In 1914, several outer districts of the prefecture were annexed to neighboring Goyang County (now Goyang City), reducing the administrative size of the prefecture.

Former Gyeongseong districts recombined from Goyang County

1936

Also in 1936, some parts of former Gyeongseong districts such as Sungin and Yeonghee were recombined into the city from Goyang County.

Gyeongseong annexes Yeongdeungpo from Siheung County

1936

In 1936, Gyeongseong expanded itself as it annexed Yeongdeungpo from Siheung County (now Siheung City).

Seoul expands north to Ui-dong and south to Guro-dong and Daerim-dong

1949

In 1949, Seoul's administrative area expanded to Ui-dong to the north, and Guro-dong and Daerim-dong to the south, recombining areas annexed from original Seoul to Goyang County in 1914.

Major annexation of towns and villages from Gyeonggi Province

1963

In 1963, Seoul greatly expanded in size by annexing a number of towns and villages from several surrounding counties in Gyeonggi Province, such as Bucheon, Siheung, Gwangju, Yangju, and Gimpo.

Provisional plan to annex remaining Sindo Township and West Township areas

1973 - 1981

The remaining parts of Sindo Township, Goyang, and the northern part of West Township, Siheung (today's Gwangmyeong City) were provisionally planned for annexation to Seoul.

Parts of Sindo Township in Goyang County annexed to Seoul

1973

In 1973, some parts of Sindo Township in Goyang County (today's Jingwan-dong in the Eunpyeong District) were officially annexed to Seoul.

Annexation plan founders with establishment of Gwangmyeong City

1981

The municipal annexation plan foundered, symbolized by the establishment of Gwangmyeong City in 1981 rather than annexation to Guro-gu, as the rapid growth of Seoul was a great concern for governmental officials.

Image source: Gwangmyeong

Annexation plan founders with establishment of Gwangmyeong City

Boundary rearrangement between Seoul and Gwangmyeong implemented

1995

In 1995, the boundary between Seoul and Gwangmyeong was rearranged, merging parts of Cheolsan 3-dong, Gwangmyeong, into the Geumcheon District of Seoul.

War and Reconstruction

Korean War breaks out and Seoul changes hands four times

1950

In 1950, the Korean War broke out and Seoul changed hands between North Korean forces and South Korean forces four times, leaving the city largely destroyed at the end of the war.

Image source: Korean War

Korean War breaks out and Seoul changes hands four times

Seoul left largely destroyed after the Korean War

1953

After changing hands four times during the Korean War, Seoul was left largely devastated by the end of the conflict, requiring extensive reconstruction in the following decades.

Modern Seoul

Seoul hosts the 1988 Summer Olympics

Sep 17, 1988 - Oct 2, 1988

Seoul was the host city of the 1988 Summer Olympics, a landmark event that showcased South Korea's emergence on the world stage and transformed the city's infrastructure and global profile.

Image source: 1988 Summer Olympics

Seoul hosts the 1988 Summer Olympics

Plan to divide Seoul founders over governance concerns

1995

The division plan foundered as it was expected to cause serious problems in aspects of metropolitan governance in Seoul.

Government-General Building torn down

1995

The former Government-General Building, once the seat of the colonial government, was demolished in 1995 as a symbolic break with the colonial past.

Government considers dividing Seoul into multiple cities

1995

Around the time of the 1995 municipal annexations in South Korea, the government seriously considered a division of Seoul into several municipal or metropolitan cities.

Seoul hosts matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup

May 31, 2002 - Jun 30, 2002

Seoul served as one of the venues of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, further cementing the city's status as an international hub.

Image source: 2002 FIFA World Cup

Seoul hosts matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup

National Assembly and Blue House remain in Seoul

2012

Despite administrative relocations to Sejong, many important government bodies remain in Seoul, including the National Assembly and the Blue House.

Itaewon crowd crush kills at least 156 people

Oct 29, 2022

On October 29, 2022, a deadly crowd crush occurred in Seoul during Halloween celebrations, killing at least 156 people, including at least 19 foreign nationals.

Image source: Seoul Halloween crowd crush

Itaewon crowd crush kills at least 156 people

Capital Relocation Debate

Relocation estimated to be completed no earlier than 2012

2004

The government estimated that the proposed move of the capital would probably not be completed before 2012, reflecting the scale of the undertaking.

Image source: Sejong City

Relocation estimated to be completed no earlier than 2012

Government announces relocation of capital to Gongju area

Aug 11, 2004

On August 11, 2004, the South Korean government announced plans to relocate the capital city from Seoul to the Gongju area as of 2007, to ease population pressure on Seoul and place the government at a safer distance from North Korea in case of invasion.

Constitutional Court rules capital relocation law unconstitutional

Oct 21, 2004

On October 21, 2004, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled that the special law for relocating the capital was unconstitutional, based mostly on custom law, since relocation is a serious national matter requiring a national referendum or constitutional revision, effectively ending the dispute.

Image source: Constitutional Court of Korea

Constitutional Court rules capital relocation law unconstitutional

Government announces move of national branches except Executive Branch

Nov 1, 2004 - Dec 31, 2004

In late 2004, the South Korean government announced plans to move most national government branches, except the Executive Branch, to Gongju, evading violation of the Constitutional Court ruling while keeping Seoul as National Capital.

Sejong City founded as part of capital relocation efforts

2007

Sejong City was founded in 2007 as part of efforts to relocate the national capital functions away from Seoul.

Preliminary construction work begins on new Gongju-area government buildings

2011

As of 2011, preliminary work had begun on the construction of new government buildings in the Gongju area.

Ministries and agencies relocated to Sejong

2012

Since 2012, the Government of South Korea has relocated numerous ministries and agencies to Sejong, though many still reside in other cities, namely Seoul.

Key Facts

  1. Seoul was founded as the capital of the Baekje Kingdom around 18 BC and became the capital of the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, when it was known as Hanyang.
  2. The city was renamed Gyeongseong during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and officially named Seoul after Korea's liberation in 1945.
  3. During the Korean War (1950-1953), Seoul changed hands multiple times and suffered extensive destruction before being rebuilt.
  4. South Korea's rapid economic development, known as the 'Miracle on the Han River,' turned Seoul from a war-ravaged city in the 1950s into a global metropolis by the 1990s.
  5. Today, Seoul is home to over 9 million people and hosts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Namhansanseong Fortress, and Hwaseong Fortress.

Source

This History of Seoul timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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