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.

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.

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