The Seoul History is characterized by three empires namely Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla. However, as per the archives of history, Seoul was inhabited by people in the Paleolithic Age. After the completion of the reigning period of the Goryeo Kingdom in 1392, Seoul was taken over by the Joseon Empire which was followed by the victory of Japanese over the place. Seoul became a free land in the year 1945 and today it is a significant symbol of globalization.
Seoul History focuses on the origin and evolution of the place. As early as in the Paleolithic Age, Soul had been inhabited. Through the various archeological expeditions carried out in and around Seoul, it has been proved that the place was there even in the Neolithic Age. The first ever habitation of Seoul was near the lower parts of Hangang river.
The Three Kingdoms
The history of Seoul enumerates the ruling periods of the three empires of Baejke, Goguryeo and Silla. The appearance of these 3 kingdoms made Seoul one of the properly inhabited places in ancient times. Baejke Empire which came into being in 18 BC was the first ever Kingdom that ruled Seoul. This Empire was founded by the son of Jumong of Goguryeo – Onjo. The northern portion pf Hangang contained the Habuk Wirye Castle which was the capital of Baejke Empire. Later, this capital was shifted to the southern part of Hangang. During the rule of King Biryu, Hanseong became the capital of Baejke and the Kingdom was on its high time in the 4th century when King Guenchogo ruled Seoul.
In 391, Hanseong, the capital of Baejke, was occupied by King Gwanggaaeto of the Goguryeo Empire. In the following 5 centuries the Goguryeo Empire remained the sole possessor of the fertile areas around the Hangang. In 551 the rulers of Silla Kingdom took the initiative to dethrone the king of Goguryeo Empire with the help of the Baejke Kingdom. King Jinheung of the Silla Empire captured the areas in and around Hangang just within 2 years and the Bukhansan Monument was erected as a mark of his victory in 555. Also, the king visited the palace of the Joseon Empire during his reign. In 676, when King Mumu was in his 16th year of rule, the name of the Hangang basin was changed to “Hansan-ju”. In 757, the “Hanyang-gun”, a county, was established. It was in this period that the alternative name of Seoul – “Hanyang”- was coined. The name of Seoul was again changed into “Yangju-mok” during the rule of King Seonjong in 983.
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During this king’s rule, Seoul was one of the administrative divisions. The Goryeo Empire had taken certain important administrative changes like initiative to transfer the capital. Till 1392, this kingdom prevailed in Seoul.
The rule of the Joseon Kingdom began in Seoul on July17, 1392 with the King Lee Seonggye. He shifted the capital to Hanyang to gain political weightage in 1394. Naksan, Namsan, 18 km long fortified wall, Royal Ancestral Shrines, Gyeonbokgung Palace, Hanseong-bu, Inwangsan and Altars were all established and constructed by King Taejo – the founder of the Joseon Empire. By 1405, districts and city planning had started taking the front seat with the initiatives of the third King Taejong. In the following years, the very base of urban structuring took place in Seoul under the aegis of the Joseon rulers.
From 17th century Seoul started to emerge as a prominent trade center due to its strategic location on the bank of River Han. During this time the city had a mayor who was locally referred to as Hanseong-bu.
On February 24, 1876 Seoul became a possession of the Japanese through the Ganghwa-do Treaty. This was one of the major historic events of Seoul. The city experienced a major boost in all its economic activities during the Japanese occupation. From the establishment of wireless telegraph in 1888 to railroads in 1899, Seoul went through various phases of modernization. It is during the Japanese occupation that Seoul became one of the administrative units and named as Gyeongseong-bu. The concept of district was incorporated in Seoul in the year 1943 and was followed by the establishment of 8 districts.
Seoul became a free land on August 15, 1945. After the National Liberation it regained the status of a capital city. Due to the war of 1950, the capital was transferred to Busan in 1951. However, in 1953 Seoul was again declared as the capital of Republic of Korea. Post-liberalization, between the 10 years of 1960 to 1970, the Government of Seoul took all possible measures to develop into a modern metropolitan city. From 5 year economic plans to establishment of satellite towns, Seoul has come a long way.
Today, Seoul is a major economic hub of Northeast Asia which is all set to make a mark of its own in the international arena of growth and development.
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