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City Overview

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City Overview

Located at the heart of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul has always been an important strategic point throughout the centuries in terms of defense and the economy, from one kingdom to the next. The three kingdoms of Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla (BCE 57 – CE 688) all fought over the area that is now Korea’s capital. Indeed, whichever kingdom claimed Seoul became the dominant power. The Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) declared Seoul its capital, a role that Seoul still playing .

BC

World History

266 BC: Rome unified with the Italian Peninsula

221 BC: Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified with China

History of Seoul

30,000 BC: The site in Myeonmok-dong, Seoul, was formed.

20,000 BC: The sites in Yeoksam-dong and Garak-dong, Seoul, were formed.

5000 BC: The site in Amsa-dong, Seoul, was formed.; The site in Garak-dong, Seoul, was formed.

1C

World History

79: Pompeii buried by the eruption of Vesuvius

222: Later Han of China divided into Wei, Shu and Wu

476: Fall of The West Roman Emperor .

618: The Tang Dynasty of China was established.

751: Paper making skill of China spread to the Saracens in the wake of the Battle of Talas

History

2~3 Century AD: Pungnaptoseong Fortress build.

3~4 Century AD: The tombs in Seokchon-dong, Seoul, build. Mongchontoseong Fortress build.

551: Baekje occupied the lower reaches of the Han (River)

553: Silla occupied the lower reaches of the Han (River)

555: A monument of King Jinheung of Silla was erected on Bukhansan (Mountain)

604: Goguryeo attacked Silla’s Bukhansan Fortress.

614: Silla established Bukhansan-ju(referring to its newly occupied area north of the Han River).

645: Shilla Underlined established Jangeuisa Temple in Hansan-ju (present-day Seoul) to pray for the peace of the spirits of two military commanders killed in action

687: Incorporation of the present-day Seoul area into Hansan-ju

757: The area of present-day Seoul was renamed Hanyang-gun

10C

World History

1096~1270: Europe engaged in seven major Crusades against Muslim territories in the East

1219~1225: Genghis Khan of Mongolia lead an expedition against Europe

History

918: The area of present-day Seoul was renamed Yangju (during the Goryeo period)

1067: The area of present-day Seoul was renamed Namgyeong

1096: Kim Wi-je recommended to relocate of the capital to Namgyeong

1104: Royal palaces build in Namgyeong.

1308: Namgyeong was renamed Hanyang-bu in the fifth year of the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo

1356: Hanyang-bu is renamed Namgyeong

1357: Royal palaces and castle walls build in Namgyeong (in the sixth year of the reign of King Gongmin).

1381: King U of Goryeo decided to relocate the capital to Hanyang (in the eighth year of his reign).

1382: King U relocated the capital to Gaegyeong

1387: King U attempted to relocate the capital to Hanyang in the 13th year of his reign. Jungheungsanseong Fortress build.

World History

1492: Columbus discovered the New Continent

1660s: The Industrial Revolution

1776: The American Revolution

1789: The French Revolution

1840: The Opium Wars between China and Great Britain

1876: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone

1896: The first modern Olympic Games was held in Athens

1989: Fall of The Berlin Wall 1.

1949: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established.

1969: Apollo 11 of America landed on the moon

1975: The Vietnam War ended.

1911: The Xinhai Revolution delete in China

1914~1917: World War I

1939~1945: World War II

1995: Windows 95 marked as a milestone in software development.

History

October 1394: Joseon relocated the capital to Hanyang

1395: Hanyang-bu was renamed Hanseong-bu

September 1396: Construction of castle wall surrounded Hanyang was completed.

February 1398: Construction of Sungnyemun Gate was completed.

1399: The capital was moved to Gaeseong from Hanseong.

September 1404: Construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace was completed.

October 1405: The capital was moved to Hanseong. Changdeokgung Palace build.

April 1407: Along with the streets,five bridges in Hanseong-bu were named.

1412: Stores to be leased to people in Sijeon (a government-operated market) built.

February 1426: Houses and 116 stores in Sijeon destroyed by a large fire in Hanseong-bu.

February 1506: The boundaries of the capital were designated.

September 1601: Donggwanwangmyo (known as Dongmyo), a shrine for Guan Yu, a third Century Chinese military commander, build in Hanseong.

November 1619: 1,000 houses and Nambyeolgung Palace destroyed by a large fire in Hanseong.

1620: Gyeonghigung Palace was repaired.

1711~1712: Construction of Bukhansanseong Fortress commenced.

1727: The boundaries of capital re-designated.

1759: Based on a new formulated plan of streams of Hanseong commenced work on overhaul. Juncheon Jeolmok (Regulations on Streams) was drawn up.

1773: Stream banks in Hanseong of reinforced with stone

May 1842: Streams in the capital were dredged.

January 1852: The Hanseong-bu building destroyed by fire.

April 1864: Stores between Gwangtonggyo (Bridge) and Jonggak destroyed by fire.

April 1865: Repairing of Gyeongbokgung Palace began.

Gyeongbokgung

1893: First clock/watch shop of the country opened in Gurigae (present Euliiro-ga)

April 1894: First dental clinic of the country opened in Namdaemun-ro

July 1896: District of Seoul city rearranged within the city and commenced work to improve Seoul’s sewage system.

September 1896: Seoul City announced urban planning between Hwangtohyeon and Heunginmun Gates and between Daegwangtonggyo (Bridge) and Sungnyemun Gate.

January 1897: Appearance of the first oil-fueled street lights in Seoul.

April 1899: Severance Hospital build by an American.

May 1899: A single-track streetcar begins operating between Seodaemun and Cheongnyangni.

20C

History

April 1900: Hanseong Electric Company installed three street lights on Jongno 3-ga.

June 1902: Hanseong Phone Exchange began operations (13 customers, one of them was Korean)

June 1904: Public toilet installed. Correction of underlined – prohibited to relieving oneself in street.

March 1908: Part of the Seoul City Wall was demolished to build tracks for streetcar.

August 1906∼ August 1908: The installation of water supply pipe was completed.

October 1909: Installation of underground gas supply pipes at Jingogae (Ridge) commenced.

June 1910: Construction of the stone embankment at the Hang River Wharf (Yongsan-Seogang) commenced.

December 1910: Siheung-gun is incorporated into Yeongdeungpo-gu.

A historical photograph of Seoul

1912: The first Japanese-owned taxi business launched in Gyeongseong.

December 1912: Construction of the double-track of Hangangcheolgyo (Railroad Bridge) was completed.

January 1913: Gyeongseong land value and grading was reassessed.

June 1915: decided to relocate Jonggak following a re-zoning of Gyeongseong.

October 1917: Hangang Indogoyo (Bridge) construction was completed.

December 1919: Public markets open in Myeong-dong and Jongno.

July 1925: Yongsan and Ttukseom areas were flooded.

October 1925: Gyeongseong Stadium opened.

December 1925: A ridge beam installation ceremony was held at the Gyeongseong-bu Office building (Seoul City Hall).

April 1928: Gyeongseong-bu commenced operation of intra-city bus lines (base fare: 7 jeon).

April 1929: Yeouido Airport opened.

January 1930: Construction of the Gyeonseong branch (present-day Shinsegae) of Mitsukoshi Department Store of Japan was completed.

August 1934~October 1936: Hangang Indogyo (Bridge) build.

July 1938: Introduced price labels for consumer goods in Gyeongseong.

August 1938: Gyeongseong-bu restricts liquor licenses and business practices at alcohol-serving establishments.

September 1939: Construction of Gyeongseong Chojiya Department Store (present-day Midopa) was completed.

Hangang Indogyo

1945: Gyeongseong city renamed as Seoul.

August 1948: The number of registered vehicles in Seoul stands at 4,706.

March 1949: The first Seoul Culture Prize was awarded.

July 1952: The Hangangcheolgyo (Railroad Bridge) reopened after repair.

September 1953: The Seoul Intra-City Bus Cooperative was established.

January 1954: The Seoul Tax Cooperative was established.

May 1955: Seoul City commences demolition of unauthorized buildings.

May 1958: Hangang Indogyo (Bridge) reopened.

Seoul Subway

1958~December 1961: The Cheonggyecheon (Stream) paved with concrete with concrete.

December 1961: Mapo Apartments, country’s first apartment complex, build.

January 1962: Seoul Metropolitan Government’s announcement of the Seoul Citizens’ Charter.

May 1962: Seoul Metropolitan Government announces the Seoul Citizens’ Charter.

1966: Construction of a pedestrian underpass at Gwanghwamun was completed.

January 1966~December 1969: Construction begins on Hanganggyo 1 (Bridge) (present-day Hannamdaegyo)

June 1967: The Seun Arcade and a pedestrian underpass on Taepyeong-ro were opened.

August 1967: Construction of the Cheonggye Overpass was completed.

April 1968: A bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin was erected on Sejong-ro.

November 1968: Street cars in Seoul cease operation.

March 1969~August 1970: Namsan Tunnels 1 and 2 are built.

April 1970: Wau Apartments in Mapo collapsed.

December 1971: Daeyeongak Hotel destroyed by fire.

April 1971~August 1974: Seoul Subway Line 1 build.

July 1972: Jamsildaegyo (Bridge) opened.

May 1973: Seoul Children’s Grand Park opened in Neung-dong.

May 1976~May 1978: Namsan Tunnel 3 build.

April 1978: Sejong Center opened for Performing Arts.

September 1979: Seongsudaegyo (Bridge) opened.

Seoul Subway

January 1977~May 1984: Seoul Grand Park opened in Gwacheon.

March 1978~May 1984: Seoul Subway Line 2 build.

October 1985: Seoul Subway Line 3 and 4 opened.

May 1986: The 88 Olympic Expressway opened.

October 1986: The first cruise boats commence operation on the Han River.

1988: First McDonald’s of the country opened in Apgujeong-dong.

February 1991: Regulations on automobile-use started with the intention of reducing the amount of automobile traffic by 10%.

October 1994: Seongsudaegyo (Bridge) collapsed.

November 1994: Seoul City celbrated the 600th year of Seoul’s establishment as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, buried a Commemorative Time Capsule in Namsangol Hanok village.