
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.
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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.
- January 1995
- The pay-per-bag household waste disposal system was adopted.
- February 1995
- Bus-only traffic lanes introduced.
- June 1995
- Sampoong Department Store collapsed.
- May 1990~November 1995
- Construction of Seoul Subway Line 5 is carried out.
- April 1996
- Construction of Seoul Park, in Yeouido Plaza, began.
- November 1998
- Construction of Seoul World Cup Stadium, in Sangam-dong, began.
21C
World History
- March 2000
- Taiwan’s first regime change in 50 years takes place.
- December 2000
- George Bush of the Republican Party was elected as President of the United States.
- September 2001
- The 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States.
- March 2003
- US invaded Iraq.
- February 2005
- Kyoto Protocol officially enacted.
- December 2006
- Ban Ki-Moon was elected as the eighth UN Secretary General.
- January 2008
- Obama inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States.
- May 2008
- Earthquake stricked in Sichuan, China.
- September 2008
- Global Financial Crisis began.
- March 2011
- Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami stricked.
- November 2015
- Terror attack in Paris, France.
History
- August 2000
- Seoul Subway Line 7 opened.
- September 2000
- Media City 2000 was held.
- October 2000
- The Third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was held.
- October 2000
- Seoul City Tour bus began operation.
- October 2000
- Insadong-gil was opened as part of a plan to create pedestrian walkways in historic and cultural areas.
- October 2000
- Seoul Drum Festival 2000 was held.
- December 2000
- Gwanghwamun Gallery was opened in Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5
- December 2000
- Seoul Subway Line 6 was opened.
- December 2001
- The Seoul World Cup Stadium was opened in Sangam-dong.
- May 2002
- The Korea-Japan World Cup Games began.
- October 2005
- The Cheonggyecheon (Stream) Restoration Project was completed.
- July 2009
- Seoul Subway Line 9 was opened.
- November 2010
- The 2010 G20 Seoul Summit was held.
- February 2011
- Sinbundang Line (Railroad) was opened.
- March 2012
- The 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit was held.
- October 2015
- Seoul City celebrated the 10th year of Cheonggyecheon (Stream) Restoration Project