View source for Seoul

{{Short description|Capital of South Korea}}
{{about|the capital city of South Korea|other uses|Seoul (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Soul}}
{{pp-move}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Seoul
| official_name      = Seoul Special Metropolitan City<br />{{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ko|서울특별시}}}}}}
| translit_lang1     = &nbsp;
| translit_lang1_type = [[Hangul]]
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|ko-Hang|서울특별시}}
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Hanja]]{{nobold|{{Efn|Seoul has no Hanja-derived names. The official Chinese translation of the city is ''Shou'er'', based on its pronunciation. See the [[#Toponymy|toponymy section]].}}}}
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ko|서울特別市}}
| translit_lang1_type2 = [[Revised Romanization of Korean|Revised&nbsp;Romanisation]]
| translit_lang1_info2 = Seoul-Teukbyeolsi
| translit_lang1_type3 = [[McCune–Reischauer]]
| translit_lang1_info3 = Sŏul-T'ŭkpyŏlsi
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|ko|서울}}}}
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of special cities of South Korea|Special metropolitan city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| caption_align = center
| border      = infobox
| total_width = 300
| perrow = 1/2/2/1
| color  = white
| image1 = Seoul (175734251) (cropped).jpg
| caption1 = [[List of tallest buildings in Seoul|Skyline of Seoul]] at night
| image2 = 덕수궁의_가을.jpg
| caption2 = [[Deoksugung]]
| image3 = Republic_of_Korea_capitol.jpg
| caption3 = [[National Assembly Proceeding Hall|Korean National Assembly]]
| image4 = Lotte_World_day_view_2.jpg
| caption4 = [[Lotte World]] and [[Lotte World Tower]]
| image5 = Gyeongbokgung Palace 5.jpg
| caption5 = [[Gwanghwamun]]
| image6 = Seoul at night (cropped).jpg
| caption6 = [[Seongsan Bridge]] over the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Seoul.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = Seal of Seoul, South Korea.svg
| seal_size          = 
| shield_size        = 
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Seoul, South Korea.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 50px
| blank_emblem_alt   = Logo
| motto              = "Seoul, my soul"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-my-soul-selected-as-the-citys-new-slogan/ |title="Seoul, my soul" selected as the city's new slogan |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |date=5 April 2023 |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507212039/https://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-my-soul-selected-as-the-citys-new-slogan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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| mapsize            = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|34|N|126|59|E|region:KR-11|display=title,inline}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = South Korea
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Korea|Area]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name1  = [[Seoul Capital Area|Seoul Capital]]
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| established_title1 = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date1  = 
| established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date2  = 
| established_title3 = 
| established_date3  = 
| founder            = [[Taejo of Joseon]]
| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = 
| parts_type         = Districts
| parts_style        = 
| parts              = [[List of districts of Seoul|25 districts]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body     = [[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]<br />[[Seoul Metropolitan Council]]
| leader_party       = [[People Power Party (South Korea)|People Power]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Seoul|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Oh Se-hoon]]
| leader_title1      = [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]]
| leader_name1       = [[South Korean Legislature Constituencies|49]]
| total_type         = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref          = <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric-->
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="seoul1"/>
| area_magnitude     = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_total_km2     = 605.21 <!-- ALL fields with measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion-->
| area_land_km2      = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 12685
| area_blank1_title  = 
| area_blank1_km2    = 
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 38
| elevation_min_m    = 0
| elevation_min_point = [[Yellow Sea]]
| elevation_max_m    = 836.5
| elevation_max_point = [[Bukhansan]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="4-population">{{cite web |title=City Overview (Population) |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-views/meaning-of-seoul/4-population/ |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |access-date=26 November 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126105506/http://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-views/meaning-of-seoul/4-population/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2Q 2023
| population_total   = 9659322
| population_rank    = [[List of cities in South Korea by population|1st]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_metro   = 26,037,000
| population_density_metro_km2 = 2053
| population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank1  = Seoulite
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_blank2_title = Dialect
| population_blank2  = [[Gyeonggi dialect|Gyeonggi]]
| population_note    = 
| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="index.go.kr">{{cite web|url= https://kostat.go.kr/boardDownload.es?bid=243&list_no=434448&seq=1|title=2023년 지역소득(잠정)|website=www.kostat.go.kr}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[List of special cities of South Korea|Special metropolitan city]]
| demographics1_info1 = [[KR₩]] 548 trillion<br>([[US$]] 438 billion)
| demographics1_title2 = Metro
| demographics1_info2 = KR₩ 1,258 trillion<br>(US$ 1.006 trillion)
| footnotes          = 
| timezone           = Korean Standard Time
| utc_offset         = +9
| iso_code           = KR-11
| blank_name         = Bird
| blank_info         = [[Korean magpie]]
| blank1_name        = Color
| blank1_info        = Seoul Red<ref name="Seoul Metropolitan Government">{{cite web|title=Color|url=http://www.seoul.go.kr/v2012/seoul/symbol/color.html|access-date=8 April 2012|archive-date=11 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511085412/http://www.seoul.go.kr/v2012/seoul/symbol/color.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = Flower
| blank2_info        = [[Forsythia]]
| blank3_name        = Font
| blank3_info        = Seoul fonts (Seoul [[Han River (Korea)|Hangang]] and Seoul [[Namsan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/get-to-know-us/city-hall/seoul-symbols/5-fonts/|title=Seoul's symbols|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|access-date=3 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819172405/http://english.seoul.go.kr/get-to-know-us/city-hall/seoul-symbols/5-fonts/|archive-date=19 August 2016}}</ref>
| blank4_name        = Mascot
| blank4_info        = [[Xiezhi|Haechi]]
| anthem             = ''none''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opengov.seoul.go.kr/sanction/19815271|script-title=ko:서울시 사이트에 서울 시가인 서울의 찬가가 없습니다.|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|access-date=22 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922144023/https://opengov.seoul.go.kr/sanction/19815271|archive-date=22 September 2021}}</ref>
| blank7_name        = Tree
| blank7_info        = [[Ginkgo biloba|Ginkgo]]
| image_shield       = 
| website            = {{URL|https://english.seoul.go.kr/|seoul.go.kr}}
}}
<!-- This article has used BC era style since 2003. -->

'''Seoul''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|s|oʊ|l}} {{respell|SOHL}}; {{Korean|hangul=서울}}; {{IPA|ko|sʰʌ.uɭ|IPA|ko-Seoul.ogg}}; {{Literal translation|Capital}}.}} officially '''Seoul Special Metropolitan City''',{{efn|{{Korean|hangul=서울특별시|rr=Seoul Teukbyeolsi|links=no}}.}} is the [[capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[South Korea]]. The broader [[Seoul Metropolitan Area]], encompassing Seoul, [[Gyeonggi Province]] and [[Incheon]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Seoul Metropolitan Area |url=http://nationalatlas.ngii.go.kr/pages/page_2649.php |website=nationalatlas.ngii.go.kr |access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref> emerged as the world's [[List of cities by GDP|sixth largest metropolitan economy]] in 2022, trailing behind [[Paris metropolitan area|Paris]], [[San Francisco Bay Area|San Francisco]], [[Greater Los Angeles|Los Angeles]], [[Greater Tokyo Area|Tokyo]], and [[New York metropolitan area|New York]], and hosts more than half of South Korea's population. Although Seoul's population peaked at over 10 million, it has gradually decreased since 2014, standing at about 9.6 million residents as of 2024.<ref name="4-population"/> Seoul is the seat of the [[Government of South Korea|South Korean government]].

Seoul's history traces back to 18 BC when it was founded by the people of [[Baekje]], one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. During the [[Joseon]] dynasty, Seoul was officially designated as the capital, surrounded by the Fortress Wall of Seoul. In the early 20th century, Seoul was occupied by the [[Japanese Empire]], temporarily renamed "[[Keijō]]" ("Gyeongseong" in Korean). The [[Korean War]] brought fierce battles, with Seoul changing hands four times and leaving the city mostly in ruins. Nevertheless, the city has since undergone significant reconstruction and rapid urbanization.

Seoul was rated Asia's most livable city, with the second-highest quality of life globally according to [[Arcadis]] in 2015{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} and a GDP per capita (PPP) of approximately $40,000.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} 15 [[Fortune Global 500|''Fortune'' Global 500]] companies, including industry giants such as [[Samsung]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/global500/samsung-electronics-13/|title=Samsung Electronics|website=Fortune|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024065549/http://fortune.com/global500/samsung-electronics-13/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[LG]], and [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai]], are headquartered in the Seoul Capital Area, which has major technology hubs, such as Gangnam and Digital Media City.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/tech-capitals-of-the-world/2007/06/16/1181414598292.html |title=Tech capitals of the world |work=The Age |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=7 August 2013 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=12 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912100420/http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/tech-capitals-of-the-world/2007/06/16/1181414598292.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Seoul is ranked seventh in the [[Global city|Global Power City Index]] and the [[Global Financial Centres Index]], and is one of the five leading hosts of global conferences.<ref>[http://www.uia.be/sites/uia.be/files/documents/statistics/press/press12.pdf Union of International Associations (UIA) International Meetings Statistics for the Year 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703095242/http://www.uia.be/sites/uia.be/files/documents/statistics/press/press12.pdf |date=3 July 2014 }}. Joel Fischer.</ref> The city has also hosted major events such as the [[1986 Asian Games]], the [[1988 Summer Olympics]], and the [[2010 G20 Seoul summit]], in addition to three matches at the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].

Seoul is geographically set in a mountainous and hilly terrain, with [[Bukhansan]] positioned on its northern edge. Within the Seoul Capital Area lie five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: [[Changdeokgung]], [[Hwaseong Fortress]], [[Jongmyo]], [[Namhansanseong]], and the [[Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kr|title=Lists: Republic of Korea|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=26 December 2019|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225050657/http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kr|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, Seoul has witnessed a surge in modern architectural development, with iconic landmarks including the [[N Seoul Tower]], the [[63 Building]], the [[Lotte World Tower]], the [[Dongdaemun Design Plaza]], [[Lotte World]], the [[Trade Tower]], [[Starfield COEX Mall|COEX]], [[International Finance Center Seoul|IFC Seoul]], and [[Parc1]]. Seoul was named the [[World Design Capital]] in 2010 and has served as the national hub for the music, entertainment, and cultural industries that have propelled [[K-pop]] and the [[Korean Wave]] to international prominence.

==Toponymy==
{{main article|Names of Seoul}}
Traditionally, ''seoul'' ({{Korean|hangul=서울|labels=no}}) has been a native Korean (as opposed to [[Sino-Korean vocabulary|Sino-Korean]]) [[common noun]] simply meaning 'capital city.' The word ''seoul'' is believed to have descended from ''Seorabeol'' (서라벌; historically transliterated into the Hanja form {{Lang|ko|徐羅伐}}), which originally referred to [[Gyeongju]], the capital of [[Silla]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=정 |first=구복 |title= |script-title=ko:서울 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0027956 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ju |first=Bo Don |date=2019 |title=Gyeongju, a City of History |url=http://www.ijkaa.org:443/v.13/0/15/8 |journal=Journal of Korean Art & Archaeology |language=en |volume=13 |pages=15–23 |doi=10.23158/jkaa.2019.v13_02 |issn=2951-4983}}</ref>

[[Wiryeseong]] ({{Korean|labels=no|위례성|慰禮城}}), the capital settlement of [[Baekje]], was located within the boundaries of modern-day Seoul. Seoul was also known by other various historical names, such as Bukhansan-gun (북한산군; 北漢山郡, during the [[Goguryeo]] era), Namcheon ({{Korean|labels=no|남천|南川}},<ref name="Jinheung Taewang Stele Seoul">{{Cite web |title=Monument on Bukhansan Mountain Commemorating the Border Inspection by King Jinheung of Silla |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0020&oneLevelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0030 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122050003/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0020&oneLevelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_003_0010_0090_0030 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]]}}</ref> during the Silla era), [[History of Seoul|Hanyang]] ({{Korean|labels=no|한양|漢陽}}, during the [[Northern and Southern States period]]), Namgyeong (남경; 南京, during the [[Goryeo]] era), and Hanseong ({{Korean|hangul=한성|hanja=漢城|labels=no}}, during the [[Joseon]] era). The word ''seoul'' was used colloquially to refer to the capital as early as the 17th century.<ref>[[Hendrick Hamel]], a 17th-century Dutch sailor who was shipwrecked on [[Jeju Island]], referred to the Joseon capital as ''Sior'' in his book "Hamel's Journal and a Description of the Kingdom of Korea, 1653–1666." Refer to the English translation of the book on this [https://www.hendrick-hamel.henny-savenije.pe.kr/holland6.htm website] created by Dr. Henny Savenije, a Dutch scholar known for his research on Hamel.</ref> Thus, the Joseon capital of ''Hanseong'' was widely referred to as the ''seoul.''<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Yu|first1=Woo-ik|last2=Lee|first2=Chan|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Seoul|title=Seoul|date=6 November 2019|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=4 July 2020|quote=The city was popularly called Seoul in Korean during both the [[Chosŏn]] (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910) and the period of Japanese rule (1910–45), although the official names in those periods were Hansŏng (Hanseong) and [[Kyŏngsŏng]] (Gyeongseong), respectively.|archive-date=9 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609191034/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534948/Seoul|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to its common usage, French missionaries called the Joseon capital ''Séoul'' (/se.ul/) in their writings, hence the common romanization ''Seoul'' in various languages today.

Under subsequent [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese colonization]], ''Hanseong'' was renamed as ''Keijō'' (京城, literally 'capital city'){{efn|Also referred to as Gyeongseong ({{Korean|labels=no|경성|京城}}) via its Korean pronunciation.}} by the Imperial authorities to prevent confusion with the [[Hanja]] '{{lang|zh-hant|{{linktext|漢}}}}' (a transliteration of a native Korean word {{Korean|hangul=한|rr=han|labels=no|lit=great}}), which may also refer to the [[Han Chinese|Han people]] or the [[Han dynasty]] in Chinese and is associated with 'China' in Japanese context.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pDZYDwAAQBAJ&q=Hanseong+was+renamed+to+Keij%C5%8D&pg=PT136|title=Eclipsed Cinema: The Film Culture of Colonial Korea|date=22 March 2017|isbn=9781474421829|last1=Kim|first1=Dong Hoon|access-date=21 November 2020|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714164921/https://books.google.com/books?id=pDZYDwAAQBAJ&q=Hanseong+was+renamed+to+Keij%C5%8D&pg=PT136|url-status=live}}</ref> After [[World War II]] and the [[liberation of Korea]], ''Seoul'' became the official name for the Korean capital. The [[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]] still acknowledges both common and proper noun definitions of ''seoul''.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |script-title=ko:국립국어원 표준국어대사전 |url=https://stdict.korean.go.kr/m/search/searchView.do |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=[[Standard Korean Language Dictionary]]}}</ref>

Unlike most place names in Korea, as it is not a Sino-Korean word, 'Seoul' has no inherently corresponding Hanja ([[Chinese characters]] used in the Korean language). Instead of [[Transcription into Chinese characters|phonetically transcribing]] 'Seoul' to Chinese, in the [[Sinophone|Chinese-speaking]] world, Seoul was called ''Hànchéng'' ({{zh|s= 汉城|t=漢城|labels=no}}), which is the Chinese pronunciation of ''Hanseong''. On 18 January 2005, the [[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] changed Seoul's official Chinese name from the historic ''Hànchéng'' to ''Shǒu'ěr'' ({{zh|links=no|s=首尔|t=首爾|p=|labels=no}}). ''Shǒu'ěr'' is a [[Phono-semantic matching|phono-semantic match]] incorporating both sound and meaning (through 首 meaning 'head', 'chief', 'first').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=104&oid=022&aid=0000126138 |script-title=ko:서울특별시표기 ''首爾''로...중국, 곧 정식 사용키로 |language=ko |publisher=[[Naver News]] |date=23 October 2005 |access-date=10 February 2012 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042516/http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=104&oid=022&aid=0000126138 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese Naming Crisis Danger Opportunity Summer 2006 – Good Characters |url=http://goodcharacters.com/newsletters/summer2006-seoul-korea.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930195048/http://goodcharacters.com/newsletters/summer2006-seoul-korea.html |archive-date=30 September 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018 |website=goodcharacters.com}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Seoul}}
{{For timeline}}

=== Prehistory ===
There is evidence of human habitation in the area now corresponding to Seoul from 30,000 to 40,000 years before the present.{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015|p=13}} Around 4,000 B.C., people of the area lived in huts with lowered floors called ''[[umjip]]''. There is evidence of the consumption of cooked grain and fish by 3,000 B.C. Around 1,500 B.C., communities began transitioning into the [[Bronze Age]] and farming at scale.{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015|p=|pp=122–123, 155}}
[[File:Amsadong IMG 2081.jpg|thumb|Reconstructed ''umjip'' houses at Amsa-dong Neolithic Site]]
Due to modern Seoul's significant urbanization, {{Ill|Amsa-dong Neolithic Site|ko|서울 암사동 유적}} is the only known major archaeological site in Seoul where [[Stone Age]] materials have been found,{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015|p=|pp=71, 121}} although such materials have also been found in minor sites throughout the city (and all around the surrounding [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] basin),{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015|p=77|pp=}} often through [[rescue archaeology]].{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015|p=|pp=13–16, 70}}

=== Samhan and Baekje periods ===
{{See also|Samhan|Baekje}}
Around the collapse of [[Wiman Joseon]] (194–108 B.C.) in the northern part of Korea, numerous refugees went south to the Han River basin, which was then controlled by [[Jin (Korean state)|Jin]] (4th–2nd century B.C.). These diverse peoples brought with them culture and technology of the [[Warring States period|Chinese Warring States]] that accelerated the region's progress into the [[Iron Age]]. Their arrival destabilized the region; Jin disintegrated, and dozens of [[Microstate|statelets]] emerged that competed for influence in the Han River basin.{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 3|2015|p=|pp=49–52, 114}}

Baekje (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.), once one of the statelets in the [[Mahan confederacy]], became the dominant local power by the 2nd century A.D.{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 3|2015|p=|pp=52–53, 66, 68–69}} Its capital was in [[Wiryeseong]]; Wiryeseong's specific location is not known with certainty, but it is believed to have been within the bounds of the ramparts [[Pungnaptoseong]] and [[Mongchontoseong]].{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 3|2015|p=114|pp=}} This area is now in southeastern Seoul.{{Sfn|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 3|2015|p=136|pp=}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pungnap-dong Toseong Fortress (서울 풍납동 토성) |url=https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/whereToGo/locIntrdn/rgnContentsView.do?vcontsId=80882&menuSn=351 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=[[VisitKorea.or.kr]] |publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Silla period ===
In July or August 553, [[Silla]] took the control of the region from Baekje, and the city became a part of newly established Sin Province ({{Korean|hangul=신주|hanja=新州|labels=no}}).<ref name="Samguk Sagi Silla Jinheung 19">{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinheung 19 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0190 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122045955/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0190 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]]}}</ref><ref name="Samguk Sagi Baekje Seong 19">{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Baekje Seong 19 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_026_0060_0190 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122045942/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_026_0060_0190 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]]}}</ref> Sin (新) has both meaning of "New" and "Silla", thus literally means New Silla Province.

In November 555, Jinheung Taewang made a royal visit to Bukhansan, and inspected the frontier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinheung 24 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0240 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122090207/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0240 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 557, Silla abolished Sin Province, and established Bukhansan Province ({{Korean|hangul=북한산주|hanja=北漢山州|labels=no}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinheung 28 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0280 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122050001/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0280 |url-status=live }}</ref> The word Hanseong ({{Korean|hangul=한성|hanja=漢城|labels=no|lit=Han Fortress}}) appears on the stone wall of "Pyongyang Fortress", which was presumably built in the mid to late 6th century AD over period of 42 years, located in Pyongyang, while there is no evidence that Seoul had name Hanseong dating the three kingdoms and earlier period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyongyang Fortress Stone 1 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0020&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0030 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122074047/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0020&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0020_0030 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyongyang Fortress Stone 2 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0030_0030 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122074047/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0030_0030 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyongyang Fortress Stone 3 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0040_0030 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122074045/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0040_0030 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyongyang Fortress Stone 4 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122033727/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0050_0030 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyongyang Fortress Stone 6 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0030 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122074045/https://db.history.go.kr/item/compareVerticalViewer.do?levelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0030&oneLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0020&otherLevelId=gskh_001_0030_0070_0030 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 568, Jinheung Taewang made another royal visit to the northern border, visited Hanseong, and stayed in Namcheon on his way back to the capital. During his stay, he set Jinheung Taewang Stele, abolished Bukhansan Province, and established Namcheon Province (남천주; 南川州; South River Province), appointing the city as the provincial capital.<ref name="Jinheung Taewang Stele Seoul"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinheung 45 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0450 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122045941/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0040_0450 |url-status=live }}</ref> Based on the naming system, the actual name of Han River during this time was likely Namcheon (Nam River) itself or should have the word ending with "cheon" ({{Korean|hangul=천|hanja=川|labels=no}}) not "gang" ({{Korean|hangul=강|hanja=江|labels=no}}) nor "su" ({{Korean|hangul=수|hanja=水|labels=no}}). In addition, "Bukhansan" Jinheung Stele clearly states that Silla had possession of Hanseong (modern day [[Pyongyang]]), thus Bukhansan has to be located north of Hanseong. Modern day Pyongyang was not Pyongyang, [[Taedong River]] was likely Han River, and Bukhansan was not Bukhansan during the three kingdoms period.<ref name="Jinheung Taewang Stele Seoul"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2013 |script-title=ko:"고구려 수도 평양은 북한땅에 없었다" |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/111825/1 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=신동아 |language=ko |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122055048/https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/111825/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, Pyongyang was a common noun meaning capital used by Goguryeo and Goryeo dynasties, similar to Seoul.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2016 |script-title=ko:고대 평양은 지금의 평양이 아니다 |url=http://www.ikoreanspirit.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=47046 |access-date=22 January 2023 |website=K스피릿 |language=ko |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122062318/http://www.ikoreanspirit.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=47046 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 603, Goguryeo attacked [[Bukhansanseong]], which Silla ended up winning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinpyeong 30 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0060_0300 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122101657/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0060_0300 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Goguryeo Yeongyang 15 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_020_0020_0150 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122101658/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_020_0020_0150 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 604, Silla abolished Namcheon Province, and reestablished Bukhansan Province in order to strengthen the northern border. The city lost its provincial capital position and was put under Bukhansan Province once again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samguk Sagi Silla Jinpyeong 32 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0060_0320 |website=[[National Institute of Korean History]] |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122051026/https://db.history.go.kr/item/oldBookViewer.do?levelId=sg_004_0060_0320 |url-status=live }}</ref> This further proves that Bukhansan was located in the North of modern-day Pyongyang as changing the provincial name and objective would not be required if Bukhansan was located within Seoul.

In the 11th century [[Goryeo]], which succeeded [[Unified Silla]], built a summer palace in Seoul, which was referred to as the "Southern Capital". It was only from this period that Seoul became a larger settlement.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Seoul |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534948/Seoul/24023/Cultural-life#toc24024 |access-date=7 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222100436/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534948/Seoul/24023/Cultural-life#toc24024 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Joseon dynasty ===
{{Further|Joseon dynasty|Downtown Seoul|Seongjeosimni}}
[[File:한양도성낙산구간.jpg|thumb|The [[Fortress Wall of Seoul]]]]
[[File:Gyeongjoobudo.jpg|thumb|[[Seongjeosimni]] was included in five administrative divisions of [[Names of Seoul|Hanseong]], in late period of Joseon dynasty]]

Seoul became the [[List of purpose-built national capitals|planned capital]] of Korea by [[Yi Seong-gye]], the founding father of the [[Joseon]] dynasty. After enthroning himself as [[Taejo of Joseon|King]] at the capital of old [[Goryeo]] in 1392, Yi Seong-gye changed the name of his Kingdom from Goryeo to Joseon in 1393 and began his search for a place for a new capital. After several governmental debates, Yi Seong-gye chose Hanyang (Sindo) instead of Muak in September 1394. As Joseon's new capital, Hanyang was planned as a geographic embodiment of [[Korean Confucianism]]. Construction of the city began in October 1394. During its early construction stages, some major palaces, including [[Gyeongbokgung]], were finished in 1395. The [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]] surrounding Hanyang was partially finished around 1396.<ref>{{cite book |author1=김기호 |url=https://lib.seoul.go.kr/search/detail/CATTOT000001524017 |title= |author2=김웅호 |author3=염복규 |author4=김영심 |author5=김도연 |author6=유승희 |author7=박준형 |date=2021-11-30 |publisher={{ill|Seoul Historiography Institute|ko|서울역사편찬원}} |isbn=9791160711301 |location=Seoul |language=ko |script-title=ko:서울도시계획사 1 현대 이전의 도시계획 (서울역사총서 12) |trans-title=History of urban planning in Seoul, Vol. 1., Urban planning before contemporary age}}</ref>{{rp|96–111}}

The city of Hanyang was governed by the {{ill|Hanseongbu|ko|한성부}} ({{Korean|한성부|labels=no}}), an agency of the national government dedicated to affairs on the administration of the capital city. The Hanseongbu divided Hanyang into two major categories: areas inside the Fortress Wall, which were typically named ''Seong-jung'' ({{Korean|성중|hanja=城中|labels=no}}) or ''Doseong-an'' ({{Korean|도성 안|labels=no|lit=Inside the fortress}}), and areas 10 [[Li (unit)|Ri]] (Korean mile) around the Fortress Wall, which were named as ''[[Seongjeosimni]]'' ({{Korean|성저십리|hanja=城底十里|lit=10 Ris around the fortress}}). The ''Doseong-an'' area later gained the informal but popular name ''Sadaemun-an'' ({{Korean|사대문 안|labels=no}}), which literally means 'areas inside of the [[The Eight Gates of Seoul|Four Great Gates]]', and became the one and only [[Downtown Seoul|downtown (city center) of Hanyang city]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=김경록 |author2=유승희 |author3=김경태 |author4=이현진 |author5=정은주 |author6=최진아 |author7=이민우 |author8=진윤정 |date=2019-06-03 |script-title=ko:조선시대 다스림으로 본 성저십리 (서울역사중점연구 5) |trans-title=Seongjeosimni in governance of Joseon (Studies on special topics of Seoul History, Vol. 5.) |url=https://lib.seoul.go.kr/search/detail/CATTOT000001318441 |language=ko |location=Seoul |publisher={{ill|Seoul Historiography Institute|ko|서울역사편찬원}} |isbn=9791160710670}}</ref>{{rp|90–100}}

In the late 19th century, after hundreds of years of isolation, Seoul opened its gates to foreigners and began modernization. Seoul became the first city in [[East Asia]] to introduce electricity in the royal palace, which was established by the [[Edison Illuminating Company]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/images/8/85/Nam-Early_History.pdf|title=Early History of Electrical Engineering in Korea: Edison and First Electric Lighting in the Kingdom of Corea|author=Nam Moon Hyon|work=Promoting the History of EE Jan 23–26, 2000|publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222020732/http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/images/8/85/Nam-Early_History.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A decade later the city also implemented electrical street lights.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbRhAQAAQBAJ|title=A History of Korea|author=Kyung Moon Hwang|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|page=142|year=2010|isbn=9780230364523|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042515/https://books.google.com/books?id=cbRhAQAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Korean Empire ===
{{Main|Korean Empire}}
[[File:Chongno1905.jpg|thumb|Seoul, capital city of the Korean Empire, in 1905]]

After [[Gojong of Joseon|Gojong]]'s proclamation of Korea as the [[Korean Empire]] in 1897, Seoul was temporarily called '''Hwangseong''' ({{korean|hangul=황성|hanja=皇城|lit=the imperial city|labels=no}}). Much of modern development around this era was propelled by trade with foreign countries like France and the United States. For example, the [[Seoul Electric Company]], Seoul Electric Trolley Company, and Seoul Fresh Spring Water Company were all joint Korean–U.S. owned enterprises.<ref>{{cite book |author=Chung |first=Young-Iob |url=https://archive.org/details/koreaundersiege10000chun |title=Korea under Siege, 1876–1945 : Capital Formation and Economic Transformation |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=9780198039662 |page=[https://archive.org/details/koreaundersiege10000chun/page/70 70] |url-access=registration}}</ref>

=== Japanese annexation of Korea ===
{{Main|Keijō|Korea under Japanese rule}}
[[File:L’Indépendance de la Corée et la Paix-02.jpg|thumb|[[March First Movement]] in Seoul, 1919]]

After the [[Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty|annexation treaty]] in 1910, [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] annexed Korea and renamed the city [[Gyeongseong]] ("Kyongsong" in Korean and "[[Keijō]]" in Japanese). The city saw significant transformation under Japanese colonial rule. Imperial Japan removed the city walls, paved roads, and built Western-style buildings.

Seoul was deprived of its special status as the capital city and downsized under imperial Japan, compared to the traditional notion among people of the [[Joseon]] dynasty that Seoul included the area of approximately {{convert|4|km|mile|sp=us|abbr=on}} radius surrounding the [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]] (i.e., [[Outer old Seoul]]; {{Korean|hangul=성저십리|hanja=城底十里|labels=no}}). On October 1, 1910, Imperial Japan demoted Seoul as no different than any other city within the [[Gyeonggi Province]]. After Imperial Japan's redistricting, Seoul only included the area inside the [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]] and present-day [[Yongsan District]]. In the 1930s, as part of Imperial Japan's war efforts leading up to the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], [[Yeongdeungpo District]] was annexed into Seoul on April 1, 1936, to function as an industrial complex for steel and other [[metalworking]] factories.

The city was liberated by U.S. forces at the end of [[World War II]].

=== Contemporary history ===
[[File:Seoul Station in 1945.8.15.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Commemoration of the [[Liberation of Korea]] in front of [[Seoul Station]], 15 August 1945]]

In 1945, following the liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the American military assumed control of Korea, including its capital city, then referred to as Kyeongseongbu in line with Japanese nomenclature. The [[United States Army Military Government in Korea|U.S. military government]] published the Charter of the City of Seoul in the official gazette on October 10 of the following year. The charter declared Seoul as the name of the city and established it as a [[municipal corporation]]. Seoul's status as a municipal corporation mirrored the [[Independent city (United States)|independent cities]] in the United States that do not belong to any county, and Seoul was established as an independent administrative unit, separate from the existing provinces.<ref name=":11">{{cite web |language=ko|date=2021-08-26|script-title=ko:서울은 어떻게 '특별시'가 됐나…근거 문서 '서울시헌장' 공개|url=https://history.seoul.go.kr/bbsctt/view.do?bbscttSn=2212200396&key=2210200045|website={{ill|Seoul Historiography Institute|ko|서울역사편찬원}}}}</ref> The Korean version of the Charter translated "''municipal corporation''" as "''special free city''" ({{Korean|hangul=특별자유시||hanja=特別自由市|labels=no}}),{{efn|As written in the Korean version of the charter: {{Blockquote|text=第一條 「京城府」를「서울市」라稱하고此를特別自由市로함|source=Official Gazette, USAMGIK Charter City of Seoul<ref name=":11" />}}}} which later became [[Special cities of South Korea|special metropolitan city]] (or special metropolitan city; {{langx|ko|특별시|label=none}}) in the {{ill|Local Autonomy Act of 1949|ko|대한민국 지방자치법}}.<ref>{{cite web |author=정 |first=현수 |date=2021-09-12 |title= |script-title=ko:번역이 만든 '서울특별시'…서울은 어떻게 '특별한' 시가 됐나 |url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2021091211392562588 |website={{ill|Money Today|ko|머니투데이}} |language=ko}}</ref> Seoul has retained its status as the only special metropolitan city in South Korea (i.e., {{langx|ko|서울특별시|label=none}}).<ref>{{cite web |author=최 |first=현영 |date=December 3, 2002 |title= |script-title=ko:서울특별시, 광역시로 변경해야 |url=https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0000096899 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |publisher=[[OhmyNews]] |language=ko}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=See unreliable sources list on [[WP:KO/RS]]|date=November 2024}}

{{Blockquote|text=The City of Seoul is hereby constituted a municipal corporation to be known as SEOUL. The boundaries of the municipal corporation are the present limits of the City of Seoul consisting of the following eight districts: [[Jung District, Seoul|Chong Koo]], [[Jongro District|Chong No Koo]], [[Seodaemun District|Sur Tai Moon Koo]], [[Dongdaemun District|Tong Tai Moon Koo]], [[Seongdong District|Sung Tong Koo]], [[Mapo District|Ma Po Koo]], [[Yongsan District|Yong San Koo]], and [[Yeongdeungpo District|Yang Doung Po Koo]], and as such may be extended as provided by law.|source=''U.S. Army Military Government in Korea'', Charter of the City of Seoul<ref name=":11" />}}

Seoul under the U.S. military government between 1945 and 1948 was much smaller than it is today. It only covered the [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]], marked by the [[Eight Gates of Seoul|Eight Gates]], and the districts incorporated during Japanese rule to prosecute imperial Japan's war efforts.{{efn|Notably, [[Yeongdeungpo District]] was incorporated into Kyeongseong (or Keijō) and developed under imperial Japan as a major industrial complex.}}
[[File:Seoul Battle- Korean War.jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Marines]] engaged in [[urban warfare]] during the [[Second Battle of Seoul|battle for Seoul]], part of the [[Korean War]], in late September 1950.]]

During the [[Korean War]], Seoul changed hands between the Soviet- and Chinese-backed North Korean forces and the American-backed South Korean forces four times: falling to the North Koreans in the June 1950 [[First Battle of Seoul]], recaptured by UN forces in the September 1950 [[Second Battle of Seoul]], falling to a combined Chinese-North Korean force in the January 1951 [[Third Battle of Seoul]], and finally being recaptured once more by UN forces in [[Operation Ripper]] during the spring of 1951.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Korean War Chronology  |url=https://history.army.mil/reference/korea/kw-chrono.htm |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=U.S. Army Center of Military History |archive-date=9 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909160307/https://history.army.mil/reference/Korea/kw-chrono.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter XXVI: The Capture of Seoul |url=https://history.army.mil/books/korea/20-2-1/sn26.htm |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=U.S. Army Center of Military History |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207134826/https://history.army.mil/BOOKS/KOREA/20-2-1/sn26.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The extensive fighting left the city heavily damaged after the war. The capital was temporarily relocated to [[Busan]].<ref name="Britannica"/> One estimate of the extensive damage states that after the war, at least 191,000 buildings, 55,000 houses, and 1,000 factories lay in ruins. In addition, a flood of refugees had entered Seoul during the war, swelling the population of the city and its metropolitan area to an estimated 1.5&nbsp;million by 1955.<ref name="hamnett">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GSpAgAAQBAJ|title=Planning Asian Cities: Risks and Resilience|page=159|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|editor=Stephen Hamnett, Dean Forbes|isbn=9781136639272|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042515/https://books.google.com/books?id=8GSpAgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Seoul-from-Namsan-CableCar-1962.jpg|thumb|Bird's eye view of Seoul from the [[Namsan cable car]], 1962]]

Following the war, Seoul began to focus on reconstruction and modernization. As [[Miracle on the Han River|South Korea's economy started to grow rapidly]] from the 1960s, [[urbanization]] also accelerated and workers began to move to Seoul and other larger cities.<ref name="hamnett"/> In 1963, Seoul went through two major expansions that established the shape and size of the present-day Seoul—barring minor adjustments to the borders later in 1973 and 2000. In August 1963, Seoul annexed parts of [[Yangju|Yangju-gun]], [[Gwangju|Gwangju-gun]], [[Siheung|Siheung-gun]], [[Gimpo|Gimpo-gun]], and [[Bucheon|Bucheon-gun]], expanding the northeastern borders of Seoul. In September, Seoul again annexed present-day [[Gangnam]].<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ko:서울의 역사 |url=https://www.seoul.go.kr/seoul/history.do |website=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spp.seoul.go.kr/cms/board/Download.jsp?fileId=IUAjJDMyMTY1LS0kJA==|title=Urban Planning of Seoul|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|format=PDF|year=2009|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042517/http://spp.seoul.go.kr/cms/board/Download.jsp?fileId=IUAjJDMyMTY1LS0kJA==|url-status=live}}</ref> The two consecutive expansions more than doubled the size of Seoul from approximately {{convert|268|km2|mi2|sp=us|abbr=on}} to {{convert|613|km2|mi2|sp=us|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ko:면적과 인구밀도 |url=https://data.si.re.kr/data/지표로-본-서울-변천-2003/374 |website=data.si.re.kr |publisher=서울연구데이터서비스}}</ref>

After annexation, [[Gangnam]]'s development was spurred by key infrastructure projects: the construction of the [[Hannam Bridge]] (1966–1969) and [[Gyeongbu Expressway]] (1968–1970). As Seoul's population kept growing, [[Park Chung Hee|Park]]'s regime focused its development plans on Gangnam. The main hurdle for Gangnam's development was floods because the area is low-lying and prone to flooding. Then Seoul mayor Kim Hyun-ok ordered construction of an expressway that doubled as [[Embankment (earthworks)|embankment]], which became the present-day [[Gangbyeonbuk-ro|Gangbyeon Expressway]]. The construction started in March 1967 and completed in September of the same year. Similar projects transformed previously flood-prone areas into usable land for development. Such areas include the current [[Ichon-dong]], the [[Banpo-dong|Banpo apartment complex]], [[Apgujeong-dong]] and [[Jamsil-dong]].
[[File:Seoul, South Korea 2002 World Cup young people watching the game.jpg|thumb|Young people watching the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]]]

Until 1972, Seoul was claimed by North Korea as its ''de jure'' capital, being specified as such in Article 103 of the [[Constitution of North Korea|1948 North Korean constitution]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/DPRK_Constitution.pdf |title=Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914164442/http://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/DPRK_Constitution.pdf |archive-date=14 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Seoul was the host city of the [[1986 Asian Games]] and [[1988 Summer Olympics]] as well as one of the venues of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].

[[Demographics of South Korea|South Korea's 2019 population]] was estimated at 51.71 million, and according to the 2018 Population and Housing Census, 49.8% of the population resided in the Seoul metropolitan area. This was up by 0.7% from 49.1% in 2010, showing a distinct trend toward the concentration of the population in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Korean Cultural Centre India New Delhi|url=http://india.korean-culture.org/en/1025/korea/672|access-date=31 October 2021|website=Korean Cultural Centre India New Delhi|language=en|archive-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720011803/http://india.korean-culture.org/en/1025/korea/672|url-status=live}}</ref> Seoul has become the economic, political and cultural hub of the country,<ref name="Britannica"/> with several [[Fortune Global 500]] companies, including [[Samsung]], [[SK Holdings]], [[Hyundai Group|Hyundai]], [[POSCO]] and [[LG Group]] headquartered there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2012/countries/SouthKorea.html|title=GLOBAL 500|work=CNNMoney|access-date=7 February 2014|date=23 July 2012|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119093541/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2012/countries/SouthKorea.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Earth_from_Space-_Seoul,_South_Korea_ESA24817251.jpg|thumb|Satellite picture of Seoul]]
Seoul is in the northwest of South Korea. Seoul proper comprises {{convert|605.25|km2|sqmi|abbr=unit}},<ref name="seoul1">{{cite web|url=http://stat.seoul.go.kr/Seoul_System5.jsp?stc_cd=412|title=Seoul Statistics (Land Area)|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|access-date=24 March 2010|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019175850/http://stat.seoul.go.kr/Seoul_System5.jsp?stc_cd=412|url-status=live}}</ref> with a radius of approximately {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}}, roughly bisected into northern and southern halves by the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]]. The river is no longer actively used for navigation, because its [[estuary]] is located at the borders of the two Koreas, with civilian entry barred. There are four main mountains in central Seoul: [[Bugaksan]], [[Inwangsan]], [[Naksan]] and [[Namsan]]. The [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Seoul Fortress Wall]], which historically bounded the city, goes over these mountains. The city is bordered by eight mountains, as well as the more level lands of the Han River plain and western areas.

===Parks===
{{Main article|List of parks in Seoul}}
[[File:Hangang Park Overview 201604.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Hangang Park|Han River Park]]]]
Seoul has a large quantity of parks. One of the most famous parks is [[Namsan (Seoul)|Namsan Park]], which offers recreational hiking and views of the [[downtown Seoul]] skyline, especially via its [[N Seoul Tower]]. [[Olympic Park, Seoul|Seoul Olympic Park]], located in [[Songpa District]] and built to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, is the largest park. The areas near the stream [[Tancheon]] are popular for exercise. [[Cheonggyecheon]] also has spaces for recreation. In 2017 the [[Seoullo 7017 Skypark]] opened, spanning diagonally overtop Seoul Station.

There are also many parks along the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]], such as Ichon Hangang Park, Yeouido Hangang Park, Mangwon Hangang Park, Nanji Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, Ttukseom Hangang Park and Jamsil Hangang Park. The Seoul National Capital Area also contains a [[green belt]] aimed at preventing the city from [[Urban sprawl|sprawling]] out into neighboring Gyeonggi Province. These areas are frequently sought after by people looking to escape from urban life on weekends and during vacations.

===Air quality===
{{See also|Air pollution in South Korea}}
[[File:Air Quality in Seoul’s metropolitan area improves thanks to sustainable policies (Copernicus 2024-01-14).jpg|thumb|The Seoul metropolitan area, [[Copernicus]] [[Sentinel-2]] Satellite image taken on 3 December 2023. Air quality in Seoul's metropolitan area can be monitored in detail by the satellite.]]

==== Atmospheric pollution ====
[[Air pollution]] is a major issue in Seoul.<ref>Lee, Hyun-jeong. [http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150323000889 "Korea Wrestles with Growing Health Threat from Fined Dust"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409113453/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150323000889 |date=9 April 2017 }}. ''Korea Herald''. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2017.</ref><ref name=npr>Hu, Elise. [https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/06/03/478796463/koreas-air-is-dirty-but-its-not-all-close-neighbor-chinas-fault "Korea's Air Is Dirty, But It's Not All Close-Neighbor China's Fault"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809133256/https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/06/03/478796463/koreas-air-is-dirty-but-its-not-all-close-neighbor-chinas-fault |date=9 August 2018 }}. NPR. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2017.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-34505628|title = Seoul's smelly gingko problem|work=[[BBC News]]|date = 12 October 2015|access-date = 16 February 2019|archive-date = 17 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190217034736/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-34505628|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181003000213|title = &#91;Feature&#93; South Korea's odor pollution problem|date = 3 October 2018|access-date = 16 February 2019|archive-date = 17 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030222/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181003000213|url-status = live}}</ref> According to the 2016 [[World Health Organization]] Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database,<ref name=who>[https://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities/en/ Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419180220/https://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities/en/ |date=19 April 2019 }} World Health Organization. May 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2017.</ref> the annual average [[PM2.5]] concentration in 2014 was {{Convert|24|ug/m3||sp=us}}, which is 2.4 times higher than that recommended by the WHO [[Air quality guideline|Air Quality Guidelines]]<ref name=guidelines>[https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/ WHO Air Quality Guidelines.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423114431/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/ |date=23 April 2018 }} World Health Organization. September 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2017.</ref> for the annual mean PM2.5. The [[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] monitors and publicly shares real-time air quality data.<ref>[http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/environment-energy/air-quality-information/1-air-quality-information/ Air Quality Information.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410051914/http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/environment-energy/air-quality-information/1-air-quality-information/ |date=10 April 2017 }} Seoul Metropolitan Government. Retrieved 8 April 2017.</ref>
[[File:Seoul tower smog and dusty view.jpg|thumb|[[Smog]] and [[Asian dust]] affecting Seoul in 2008.]]

Since the early 1960s, the [[Ministry of Environment (South Korea)|Ministry of Environment]] has implemented a range of policies and air pollutant standards to improve and manage air quality for its people.<ref name=policy>{{cite web|author=Yu-Jin Choi|author2=Woon-Soo Kim|url=https://www.seoulsolution.kr/en/content/changes-seoul’s-air-quality-control-policy|title=Changes in Seoul's Air Quality Control Policy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906202717/https://www.seoulsolution.kr/en/content/changes-seoul%E2%80%99s-air-quality-control-policy|archive-date=6 September 2017|work=Seoul Solution|date=25 June 2015|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref> The "Special Act on the Improvement of Air Quality in the Seoul Metropolitan Area" was passed in December 2003. Its 1st Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement Plan (2005–2014) focused on improving the concentrations of [[PM10]] and [[nitrogen dioxide]] by reducing emissions.<ref>[http://eng.me.go.kr/eng/web/index.do?menuId=235 1st Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement Plan.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003345/http://eng.me.go.kr/eng/web/index.do?menuId=235 |date=27 April 2017 }} Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Retrieved 21 April 2017.</ref> As a result, the annual average PM10 concentrations decreased from 70.0 μg/m<sup>3</sup> in 2001 to 44.4 μg/m<sup>3</sup> in 2011<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.envres.2015.05.029| pmid=26079317| bibcode=2015ER....140..684K|title = Effects of ambient air particles on mortality in Seoul: Have the effects changed over time?| journal=Environmental Research| volume=140| pages=684–690|year = 2015|last1 = Kim|first1 = Honghyok| last2=Kim| first2=Hyomi| last3=Lee| first3=Jong-Tae |issn=0013-9351 }}</ref> and 46 μg/m<sup>3</sup> in 2014.<ref name=who/> As of 2014, the annual average PM10 concentration was still at least twice than that recommended by the WHO Air Quality Guidelines.<ref name=guidelines/> The 2nd Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement Plan (2015–2024) added PM2.5 and [[ozone]] to its list of managed pollutants.<ref>[http://eng.me.go.kr/eng/web/index.do?menuId=238 2nd Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement Plan.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426151808/http://eng.me.go.kr/eng/web/index.do?menuId=238 |date=26 April 2017 }} Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Retrieved 21 April 2017.</ref>

Investment in air quality improvement between 2007 and 2020 in the order of US$9 billion on the part of three key local authorities, namely Gyeonggi, Incheon and Seoul, delivered a clear legal framework of responsibility, publicly checkable results and a major focus on reduction of transport pollutants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-08 |title=Air pollution {{!}} Smog is lifting over greater Seoul |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/once-enough-stain-shirt-collars-smog-lifting-over-greater-seoul |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}}</ref> In July 2020, South Korea, then the 11th largest world economy, announced a US$35 billion position on ending investment in coal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan, Republic of Korea Pledge to Go Carbon-neutral by 2050 |url=https://sdg.iisd.org/news/japan-republic-of-korea-pledge-to-go-carbon-neutral-by-2050/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=SDG Knowledge Hub |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2020, South Korea committed to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan, Republic of Korea Pledge to Go Carbon-neutral by 2050 |url=https://sdg.iisd.org/news/japan-republic-of-korea-pledge-to-go-carbon-neutral-by-2050/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=SDG Knowledge Hub |language=en-US}}</ref> Between 2005 and 2021 annual concentration levels of small particulate matter (PM10) fell by 30-40 % in Seoul, whilst concentrations of larger particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the same period fell by 19% across the country and more in Seoul and Gyeonggi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Environment |first=U. N. |date=2023-05-16 |title=Achieving clean air for blue skies in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea {{!}} UNEP - UN Environment Programme |url=https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/achieving-clean-air-blue-skies-seoul-incheon-and-gyeonggi-republic-korea |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[Asian dust]], emissions from Seoul and in general from the rest of South Korea, as well as emissions from China, all contribute to Seoul's air quality.<ref name=npr/><ref>Chung, Anna. [http://www.centreasia.eu/sites/default/files/publications_pdf/note_ka2_anna_chung_march2014.pdf "Korea's policy towards pollution and fine particle: a sense of urgency"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003611/http://www.centreasia.eu/sites/default/files/publications_pdf/note_ka2_anna_chung_march2014.pdf |date=27 April 2017 }}. Korea Analysis. v2. June 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2017.</ref> Besides air quality, greenhouse gas emissions represent hot issues in South Korea since the country is among top-10 strongest emitters in the world. Seoul is the strongest hotspot of greenhouse gas emissions in the country and according to satellite data, the persistent carbon dioxide anomaly over the city is one of the strongest in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Labzovskii|first1=Lev|last2=Jeong|first2=Su-Jong|last3=Parazoo|first3=Nicholas C.|date=2019|title=Working towards confident spaceborne monitoring of carbon emissions from cities using Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2|journal=Remote Sensing of Environment|volume=233|at=111359|doi=10.1016/j.rse.2019.111359|bibcode=2019RSEnv.23311359L|s2cid=202176909}}</ref> Air quality is monitored by geo-stationary satellite measurements centred on Korea and its immediate neighbours.<ref>Choi, Won Jun, Kyung-Jung Moon, Goo Kim, and Dongwon Lee. "Reliability Analysis Based on Air Quality Characteristics in East Asia Using Primary Data from the Test Operation of Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS)." Atmosphere 14, no. 9 (2023): 1458.</ref>

==== Air pollution inside the Metro system ====
In January 2024 [[Seoul Metro]], whose passengers at the time numbered approximately 7 million a day, announced plans for extensive pollution reduction measures across the network. The target was to cut pollution to over 30% below the legal limit of 50 μg/m3. It was 32 μg/m3 by 2026. The outset actuality was 38.8 μg/m3 average concentration of pollution.  Starting in 2024, ₩100 billion annually for three years was earmarked for air pollution reduction measures. These included installation of air conditioning, better ventilation systems and filters, replacement of dust-inducing gravel rail tunnel beds with concrete ones, dust-capture matting at turnstiles, and constant public readings for pollution within the system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Seoul Metro initiates plans to reduce air pollution by over 30% - |url=https://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-metro-initiates-plans-to-reduce-air-pollution-by-over-30/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Official Website of the |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Seoul}}
[[File:Heavy snow in Seoul, 4 Jan. 2010 - Covered the park with snow.jpg|thumb|[[Snow]] in [[Tapgol Park]]]]

Seoul has a [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dwa'') or [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cwa'', by {{convert|&minus;3|°C|1|disp=or}} isotherm), influenced by the [[monsoon]]s; there is great variation in temperature and precipitation throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=80174&cityname=Seoul,+South+Korea|title=Seoul, South Korea Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010214852/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=80174&cityname=Seoul%2C+South+Korea|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Peterson|first=Adam|title=English: Data sources: Köppen types calculated from data from WorldClim.org|date=31 October 2018|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K%C3%B6ppen_climate_types_of_South_Korea.svg|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010214905/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K%C3%B6ppen_climate_types_of_South_Korea.svg|url-status=live}}</ref> The suburbs of Seoul are generally cooler than the center of Seoul because of the [[urban heat island]] effect.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lee|first1=Sang-Hyun|last2=Baik|first2=Jong-Jin|date=1 March 2010|title=Statistical and dynamical characteristics of the urban heat island intensity in Seoul|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226121380|journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology|volume=100|issue=1–2|pages=227–237|doi=10.1007/s00704-009-0247-1|bibcode=2010ThApC.100..227L|s2cid=120641921|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010214906/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226121380_Statistical_and_dynamical_characteristics_of_the_urban_heat_island_intensity_in_Seoul|url-status=live}}</ref> Summers are hot and humid, with the [[East Asian monsoon]] taking place from June until September. August, the hottest month, has average high and low temperatures of {{convert|30.0|and|22.9|C|F|0}} with higher temperatures possible. [[Heat index]] values can surpass {{convert|40|C|F|1}} at the height of summer. 
Winters are usually cold to freezing with average January high and low temperatures of {{convert|2.1|and|−5.5|C|F|1}}, and are generally much drier than summers, with an average of 24.9&nbsp;days of snow annually. Sometimes, temperatures drop dramatically to below {{convert|−10|C}}, and on some occasions as low as {{convert|−15|C}} in the mid winter period of January and February. Temperatures below {{convert|−20|C}} have been recorded.

{{Seoul weatherbox}}

==Government==
{{main|Seoul Metropolitan Government}}
[[File:Seoul City Hall from Plaza.jpg|thumb|[[Seoul City Hall]]]]
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is the local government for Seoul, and is responsible for the administration and provision of various services to the city, including correctional institutions, education, libraries, public safety, recreational facilities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services. It is headed by a mayor and three vice mayors, and is divided into 25 autonomous districts and 522 administrative neighborhoods.<ref name="encyber">{{cite web |url=http://www.encyber.com/search_w/ctdetail.php?gmasterno=753054&contentno=753054 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122021329/http://www.encyber.com/search_w/ctdetail.php?gmasterno=753054&contentno=753054 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2013 |script-title=ko:서울특별시청 Seoul Metropolitan Government |publisher=[[Doosan Encyclopedia]] |language=ko |access-date=7 May 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/organ/organ_01cha.htm |title=Organization Chart |publisher=Official site of Seoul Metropolitan Government |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=8 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508134005/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/organ/organ_01cha.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Administrative districts===
{{Main|List of districts of Seoul}}
[[File:01-00-seoul-en.svg|thumb|[[Districts of Seoul]]]]
Seoul is divided into 25 "''[[Administrative divisions of South Korea#Gu (District)|gu]]''" ({{Korean|구|區|labels=no}}) (district).<ref name="Administrative Districts"/> The ''gu'' vary greatly in area (from {{convert|10|to|47|km2|disp=or|abbr=on}}) and population (from fewer than 140,000 to 630,000). [[Songpa District|Songpa]] has the most people, while [[Seocho District|Seocho]] has the largest area. The government of each gu handles many of the functions that are handled by city governments in other jurisdictions. Each ''gu'' is divided into "''[[Dong (neighbourhood)|dong]]''" ({{Korean|labels=no |동|洞}}), or neighborhoods. Some gu have only a few ''dong''s while others like Jongno District have a very large number of distinct neighborhoods. Seoul has 423 administrative dongs ({{Korean|labels=no |행정동}}) in total.<ref name="Administrative Districts">{{cite web |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/cg/cityhall.php?pidx=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810170615/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/cg/cityhall.php?pidx=5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2011 |title=Administrative Districts |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |access-date=8 February 2014 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations|5=1949|6=1437670|7=1960|8=2445402|9=1970|10=5433198|11=1980|12=8364379|13=1990|14=10612577|15=2000|16=9895217|17=2010|18=9794304|19=2020|20=9586195|align=right|source=<ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census|url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1IN0001_ENG&vw_cd=MT_ETITLE&list_id=A111&scrId=&language=en&seqNo=&lang_mode=en&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=MT_ETITLE&path=%252Feng%252FstatisticsList%252FstatisticsListIndex.do|publisher=[[Statistics Korea]]}}</ref>}}

Seoul proper is noted for its [[population density]], which is almost twice that of [[New York City]] and eight times greater than [[Rome]]. Its metropolitan area was the most densely populated among [[OECD]] countries in Asia in 2012, and second worldwide after that of [[Paris]].<ref>{{cite journal|year=2013|title=Regional population density: Asia and Oceania, 2012: Inhabitants per square kilometre, TL3 regions|journal=OECD Regions at a Glance 2013|doi=10.1787/reg_glance-2013-graph37-en|url=http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/urban-rural-and-regional-development/oecd-regions-at-a-glance-2013/regional-population-density-asia-and-oceania-2012_reg_glance-2013-graph37-en|access-date=11 February 2014|doi-access=free|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221234115/http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/urban-rural-and-regional-development/oecd-regions-at-a-glance-2013/regional-population-density-asia-and-oceania-2012_reg_glance-2013-graph37-en|url-status=live}}</ref> As of the end of June 2011, 10.29&nbsp;million Republic of Korea citizens lived in the city. This was a 0.24% decrease from the end of 2010. The population was 10.44&nbsp;million in 2012, and 9.86&nbsp;million in 2015.<ref name="chosunpop">{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/02/14/2014021400795.html|title=Seoul's Population Drops Below 10 Million for First Time in 25 Years|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|access-date=16 February 2014|date=14 February 2014|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304224351/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/02/14/2014021400795.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2021, Seoul's population is 9.59 million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 March 2021|script-title=ko:32년 만에 '1000만 서울 시대' 막 내렸다...|url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2021030311020005613?t=20210417111741|access-date=17 April 2021|website=[[Hankook Ilbo]]|language=ko-KR|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417111942/https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2021030311020005613?t=20210417111741|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="seoul2">{{cite web|url=http://stat.seoul.go.kr/jsp2/Octagon/jsp/WWS00/outer_Seoul.jsp?stc_cd=1|title=Seoul Statistics (Population)|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|access-date=3 March 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019064405/http://stat.seoul.go.kr/jsp2/Octagon/jsp/WWS00/outer_Seoul.jsp?stc_cd=1|url-status=live}}</ref>  The population of Seoul has been dropping since the early 1990s, the reasons being the high costs of living, urban sprawling to Gyeonggi region's satellite bed cities and an aging population.<ref name="chosunpop"/>

As of 2016, the number of foreigners living in Seoul was 404,037, 22.9% of the total foreign population in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/11/281_239423.html|title=1.76 million foreigners live in South Korea; 3.4% of population|date=17 November 2017|access-date=20 December 2017|archive-date=21 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221075345/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/11/281_239423.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As of June 2011, 186,631 foreigners were [[People's Republic of China|Chinese]] citizens of Korean ancestry. This was an 8.84% increase from the end of 2010 and a 12.85% increase from June 2010. The next largest group was Chinese citizens who were not of Korean ethnicity; 29,901 of them resided in Seoul. The next highest group consisted of the 9,999 United States citizens who were not of Korean ancestry. The next highest group were Taiwanese citizens, at 8,717.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/09/117_94610.html|title=Korean Chinese account for nearly 70% of foreigners in Seoul|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|date=11 September 2011|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-date=19 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119173111/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/09/117_94610.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
The two major religions in Seoul are [[Christianity in South Korea|Christianity]] and [[Buddhism in South Korea|Buddhism]]. Other religions include [[Muism]] (indigenous religion) and [[Confucianism]]. Seoul is home to one of the world's largest Christian congregations, [[Yoido Full Gospel Church]], which has around 830,000 members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/node/21532340|title=South Korean mega-churches. For God and country|publisher=Economist|access-date=11 February 2014|date=15 October 2011|archive-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115140941/http://www.economist.com/node/21532340|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the 2015 census, 10.8% of the population follows Buddhism and 35% follows Christianity (24.3% Protestantism and 10.7% Catholicism). 53.6% of the population is irreligious.<ref name="2015census">{{cite web|url= https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1PM1502&conn_path=I2|title= 2015 Census – Religion Results|publisher= KOSIS KOrean Statistical Information Service|language= ko|access-date= 10 March 2021|archive-date= 26 February 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210226150454/https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1PM1502&conn_path=I2|url-status= live}}</ref> Seoul is home to the world's largest modern university founded by a Buddhist Order, [[Dongguk University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dongguk.edu/mbs/en/subview.jsp?id=en_010200000000|title=Dongguk University|archive-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192209/https://www.dongguk.edu/mbs/en/subview.jsp?id=en_010200000000|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Education===
{{further|Education in South Korea|List of universities in Seoul}}
[[File:정문광장.jpg|thumb|Entrance of [[Seoul National University]]]]
Compulsory education lasts from grade 1–9 (six years of elementary school and three years of middle school).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=71152&cid=43667&categoryId=43667|script-title=ko:의무교육(무상의무교육)|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010214907/https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=71152&cid=43667&categoryId=43667|url-status=live}}</ref> Students spend six years in elementary school, three years in middle school, and three years in high school. Secondary schools generally require students to wear uniforms. There is an exit exam for graduating from high school and many students proceeding to the university level are required to take the [[College Scholastic Ability Test]] that is held every November. Although there is a test for non-high school graduates, called school qualification exam, most Koreans take the test.

Seoul is home to various [[specialized school]]s, including three science high schools, and six foreign language High Schools. Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education comprises 235 College-Preparatory High Schools, 80 Vocational Schools, 377 Middle Schools, and 33 Special Education Schools {{As of|2009|lc=y}}.

Seoul is home to the majority of South Korea's most prestigious universities, including [[Seoul National University]], [[Yonsei University]], [[Korea University]]. Seoul ranked 2nd on the [[QS World University Rankings#QS Best Student Cities Ranking|QS Best Student Cities 2023]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings/2023 |title=QS Best Student Cities 2023 |publisher=Quacquarelli Symonds Limited |access-date=20 July 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707082508/https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings/2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Seoul}}
{{See also|Economy of South Korea}}
[[File:Teheran-ro Yeongdong-daero crossing 7.jpg|right|thumb|[[Gangnam District|Gangnam]] Commercial Area]]
[[File:BOK main office3.jpg|thumb|The [[Bank of Korea]] is seated in [[Sogong-dong]] of Jung District, composing financial district of the Downtown Seoul.]]
[[File:Lotte World morning view 8.jpg|thumb|[[Lotte World]] and [[Lotte World Tower]]]]
[[File:Samsung headquarters.jpg|thumb|[[Samsung Town]] in the [[Gangnam station]] area of Seoul]]
[[File:Dongdaemun Design Plaza at night, Seoul, Korea.jpg|thumb|[[Dongdaemun Design Plaza]]]]

Seoul is the business and financial hub of South Korea. Although it accounts for only 0.6 percent of the nation's land area, 48.3 percent of South Korea's bank deposits were held in Seoul in 2003,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.lit.osaka-cu.ac.jp/geo/pdf/frombelow/0308_frombelow_yim.pdf|title=Geographical Features of Social Polarization in Seoul, South Korea|last=Yim|first=Seok-hui|editor-last=Mizuuchi|editor-first=Toshio|encyclopedia=Representing Local Places and Raising Voices from Below|publisher=Osaka City University|page=34|access-date=19 April 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423223541/http://www.lit.osaka-cu.ac.jp/geo/pdf/frombelow/0308_frombelow_yim.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and the city generated 23 percent of the country's GDP overall in 2012.<ref>{{cite book|title=Industrial Policy and Territorial Development: Lessons from Korea|publisher=OECD Development Center|page=58|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEsoeOgHbOAC&pg=PA58|isbn=9789264173897|date=16 May 2012}}</ref> In 2008 the [[Worldwide Centers of Commerce]] Index ranked Seoul No.9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/insights/pdfs/2008/MCWW_WCoC-Report_2008.pdf|title=Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index|publisher=[[MasterCard]]|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=24 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624211344/http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/insights/pdfs/2008/MCWW_WCoC-Report_2008.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Global Financial Centres Index]] in 2015 listed Seoul as the 6th financially most competitive city in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zyen.com/PDF/GFCI%2012.pdf|title=The Global Financial Centres Index 12|publisher=Z/Yen Group|year=2012|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323125707/http://www.zyen.com/PDF/GFCI%2012.pdf|archive-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[The Economist Intelligence Unit]] ranked Seoul 15th in the list of "Overall 2025 City Competitiveness" regarding future competitiveness of cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citigroup.com/citi/citiforcities/pdfs/hotspots2025.pdf|title=Hot Spots 2025: Benchmarking the Future Competitiveness of Cities|publisher=[[The Economist Intelligence Unit]]|year=2013|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109040339/http://www.citigroup.com/citi/citiforcities/pdfs/hotspots2025.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Manufacturing===
{{See also|Manufacturing in South Korea}}
The traditional, labor-intensive manufacturing industries have been continuously replaced by [[information technology]], [[electronics]] and assembly-type of industries;<ref name="britannica-economy">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534948/Seoul/24016/City-layout#toc24019|title=Seoul: Economy|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135110/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/534948/Seoul/24016/City-layout#toc24019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu11ee/uu11ee0i.htm|title=The primacy of Seoul and the capital region|publisher=United Nations University|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104072715/http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu11ee/uu11ee0i.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> however, food and beverage production, as well as printing and publishing remained among the core industries.<ref name="britannica-economy"/> Major manufacturers are headquartered in the city, including [[Samsung]], [[LG]], [[Hyundai Group|Hyundai]], [[Kia Motors|Kia]] and [[SK Group|SK]]. Notable food and beverage companies include [[Jinro]], whose [[soju]] is the most sold alcoholic drink in the world, beating out [[Smirnoff]] [[vodka]];<ref name="bestselling">{{cite news|url=http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/drink/soju-most-sold-drink-world-930177|title=It's official: Jinro soju is the world's best-selling liquor|date=12 June 2012|work=CNNTravel|access-date=29 April 2013|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221152720/http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/drink/soju-most-sold-drink-world-930177|url-status=dead}}</ref> top selling beer producers [[Hite Brewery|Hite]] (merged with Jinro) and [[Oriental Brewery]].<ref name=economist>{{cite news|title=Fiery food, boring beer|url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21567120-dull-duopoly-crushes-microbrewers-fiery-food-boring-beer|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=24 April 2013|date=24 November 2012|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701164429/http://www.economist.com/news/business/21567120-dull-duopoly-crushes-microbrewers-fiery-food-boring-beer|url-status=live}}</ref> It also hosts food giants like [[Seoul Milk|Seoul Dairy Cooperative]], [[Nongshim Group]], Ottogi, [[CJ Corporation|CJ]], Orion, Maeil Holdings, [[Namyang Dairy Products]] and [[Lotte (conglomerate)|Lotte]].

===Business and finance===
{{See also|Yeouido|Korea Exchange}}
[[File:Yeouido, Seoul.jpg|thumb|[[Yeouido]], the main financial district of Seoul]]
According to the [[Global Financial Centres Index|Global Financial Centerss Index report]] released in 2024, Seoul ranked 10th. The city ranked 13th in business environment and financial sector development, seventh in human capital, 10th in infrastructure and 12th in reputation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Seoul rises one spot to 10th in Global Financial Centres Index |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240321050743 |work=[[The Korea Herald]]}}</ref>

Seoul has three [[central business districts]]; the [[Downtown Seoul]](CBD), [[Gangnam]](GBD), and [[Yeouido]](YBD).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pearsonkorea.com/insights/Top-3-Main-CBD-in-Seoul-Korea-%E2%80%93-Bringing-Best-Business-Practices-to-the-Table/ |title=Top 3 Major Business Districts (CBD) in Seoul, Korea |date=2020-08-25 |website=pearsonkorea.com |publisher=Pearson & Partners |access-date=2024-03-05}}</ref> The Downtown Seoul, which has 600 years of history as unparalleled business district in entire Korea, is now a densely concentrated area around [[Gwanghwamun]] and [[Cheonggyecheon]] with headquarters of major companies, foreign financial institutions, largest news agencies and law firms. Other two business districts are developed in 1970s and have different characteristic; while Gangnam is well known for tech, luxury and private education industries, Yeouido is famous for securities exchange and asset management.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Sue |date=2011-03-18 |title=Beginners guide to Seoul office lease |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2024/02/602_83374.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=[[The Korea Times]] |location=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2914830|title=Neon shines brightly during the bustle on Yeouido stock street|publisher=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]|date=5 January 2010|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517161814/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2914830|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2023, the city announced plans to invest $44.7 million over six years to create a dedicated area to attract foreign investment.<ref name=":0" />

===Commerce===
{{Main|Shopping in Seoul}}
[[File:Namdaemun-ro_and_Aloft_Seoul_Myeongdong_by_night.jpg|thumb|[[Myeong-dong]] is one of the most popular destinations in Seoul.]]

The largest wholesale and retail market in South Korea, the [[Dongdaemun Market]], is located in Seoul.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dongdaemun Market |url=http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=662&lang=en&m=0003001005007&p=03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025740/http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=662&lang=en&m=0003001005007&p=03 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |publisher=VisitSeoul.net}}</ref> [[Myeongdong]] is a shopping and entertainment area in [[downtown Seoul]] with mid- to high-end stores, fashion boutiques and international brand outlets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264312|title=Myeong-dong|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-date=15 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215191420/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264312|url-status=live}}</ref> The nearby [[Namdaemun Market]], named after the [[Namdaemun Gate]], is the oldest continually running market in Seoul.<ref>{{cite web |title= |script-title=ko:서울공식여행가이드 |url=http://english.visitseoul.net/index |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214094007/http://english.visitseoul.net/index |archive-date=14 February 2016 |access-date=16 May 2018 |website=VisitSeoul.net}}</ref>

[[Insadong]] is the cultural art market of Seoul, where traditional and modern Korean artworks, such as paintings, sculptures and calligraphy are sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_2_1.jsp|title=Insa-dong|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-date=16 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116073234/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_2_1.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hwanghak-dong Flea Market]] and Janganpyeong Antique Market also offer antique products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257325&cid=273747|title=Hwanghak-dong Flea Market|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135206/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257325&cid=273747|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Antique Markets |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/shop/antique.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008074320/http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/shop/antique.php |archive-date=8 October 2010 |access-date=12 February 2014 |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]}}</ref> Some shops for local designers have opened in [[Samcheong-dong]], where numerous small art galleries are located. While [[Itaewon]] had catered mainly to foreign tourists and American soldiers based in the city, Koreans now comprise the majority of visitors to the area.<ref name="KT Itaewon">{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/02/203_130484.html|title=Itaewon: Going Gangnam Style?|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|date=14 February 2013|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085508/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/02/203_130484.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Gangnam district]] is one of the most affluent areas in Seoul<ref name="KT Itaewon"/> and is noted for the fashionable and upscale [[Apgujeong-dong]] and [[Cheongdam-dong]] areas and the [[COEX Mall]]. Wholesale markets include [[Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market]] and [[Garak Market]].

The [[Yongsan Electronics Market]] is the largest electronics market in Asia. Electronics markets are Gangbyeon station metro line 2 Techno mart, ENTER6 MALL & Shindorim station Technomart mall complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_touringseoul_detail.htm?lang=e&current_page&No=24205|title=Yongsan Electronics Market, Asia's largest IT shopping mall|publisher=[[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS World]]|date=1 March 2011|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221060206/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_touringseoul_detail.htm?lang=e&current_page&No=24205|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Times Square (Seoul)|Times Square]] is one of Seoul's largest shopping malls, and contains the world's largest permanent [[35mm movie film|35 mm]] cinema screen, the [[CJ CGV|CGV Starium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-4000/largest-permanent-35mm-cinema-screen |title=Largest Permanent 35mm Cinema Screen |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com |date=18 August 2009 |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116120226/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-4000/largest-permanent-35mm-cinema-screen |url-status=live }}</ref>

Korea World Trade Center Complex, which comprises COEX mall, congress center, 3 Inter-continental hotels, Business tower (Asem tower), Residence hotel, Casino and City airport terminal was established in 1988 in time for the [[Seoul Olympics]]. The 2nd World trade trade center is being planned at Seoul Olympic stadium complex as MICE HUB by Seoul. Ex-Kepco head office building was purchased by Hyundai motor group with 9billion USD to build 115-storey Hyundai GBC & hotel complex until 2021. Now ex-kepco 25-storey building is under demolition.
{{Further|topic=the logistics and shipping company|Ilyang Logistics}}

===Technology===
{{See also|South Korean robotics}}
Seoul has been described as the world's "most wired city",<ref name="travel.cnn.com">{{cite web|url=http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/life/50-reasons-why-seoul-worlds-greatest-city-534720|title=50 reasons why Seoul is world's greatest city|date=12 July 2017|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022092637/http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/life/50-reasons-why-seoul-worlds-greatest-city-534720|url-status=live}}</ref> ranked first in technology readiness by [[PwC]]'s ''Cities of Opportunity'' report.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwc.com/us/en/cities-of-opportunity/2014/assets/cities-of-opportunity-2014.pdf|title=Cities of Opportunity|last=PricewaterhouseCoopers|access-date=20 May 2014|archive-date=20 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520001115/http://www.pwc.com/us/en/cities-of-opportunity/2014/assets/cities-of-opportunity-2014.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Seoul has a very technologically advanced [[infrastructure]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=25697|title=KOREA: Future is now for Korean info-tech|publisher=Regents of the University of California|work=AsiaMedia|date=14 June 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216151508/http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=25697|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/tech-capitals-of-the-world/2007/06/16/1181414598292.html |title=Tech capitals of the world – Technology |work=The Age |date=18 June 2007 |location=Melbourne, Australia |access-date=18 June 2009 |archive-date=12 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912100420/http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/tech-capitals-of-the-world/2007/06/16/1181414598292.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Seoul is among the world leaders in Internet connectivity, being the capital of South Korea, which has the world's highest [[Fiber-optic communication|fiber-optic]] broadband penetration and highest global average internet speeds of 26.1&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/q4-2016-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWlRFMk1qTTBOakkxTldReiIsInQiOiJsY3ZxaVErOFdncXo4NnJscW0wN1BNSjUrQUcwTjV1OUNRd2pLUkpCTTZKMTZkVGszVUFsR25hNTh0MGlNd1JBQ0I1OFUrdVE2RjJ4YW9kN0RkemR2QTBRdzdEUkluU0tRN1pXNk9EaXFIWS85SEFka2FLbmZiNGdlY3pYVHJyTSJ9|title=akamai's [state of the internet] Q4 2016 report|publisher=[[Akamai Technologies]]|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513141349/https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/q4-2016-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWlRFMk1qTTBOakkxTldReiIsInQiOiJsY3ZxaVErOFdncXo4NnJscW0wN1BNSjUrQUcwTjV1OUNRd2pLUkpCTTZKMTZkVGszVUFsR25hNTh0MGlNd1JBQ0I1OFUrdVE2RjJ4YW9kN0RkemR2QTBRdzdEUkluU0tRN1pXNk9EaXFIWS85SEFka2FLbmZiNGdlY3pYVHJyTSJ9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/about/fact.php |title=Hi Seoul, SOUL OF ASIA – Seoul Located In the Center of Asian Metropolises |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |access-date=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710194425/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/about/fact.php |archive-date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> Since 2015, Seoul has provided free Wi-Fi access in outdoor spaces through a 47.7&nbsp;billion won ($44&nbsp;million) project with Internet access at 10,430 parks, streets and other public places.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/bs_afp/skoreainternettelecom Wifi in All Public Areas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617170449/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/bs_afp/skoreainternettelecom |date=17 June 2011 }}</ref> Internet speeds in some apartment buildings reach up to 52.5&nbsp;Gbit/s with assistance from Nokia, and though the average standard consists of 100&nbsp;Mbit/s services, providers nationwide are rapidly rolling out 1[[Gbit/s]] connections at the equivalent of US$20 per month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjhellovision.com/CJ |script-title=ko:CJ헬로비전-에러페이지 |access-date=18 December 2017 |archive-date=20 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220041457/http://www.cjhellovision.com/CJ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the city is served by the [[Korea Train Express|KTX]] [[high-speed rail]] and the [[Seoul Subway]], which provides [[4G LTE]], Wi-Fi, and [[Digital Multimedia Broadcasting|DMB]] inside subway cars. 5G will be introduced commercially in March 2019 in Seoul.
{{wide image|Seoul from Namsan 3.jpg|1000px|A panoramic view of Seoul}}

==Culture==
===Architecture===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Seoul|Architecture of South Korea}}
[[File:북촌 한옥 마을(Bukchon Hanok Village) 2011년 11월 대한민국 서울특별시 명소 (Seoul best attractions) 10.jpg|thumb|[[Bukchon Hanok Village]], a traditional Seoul village built during the Joseon era]]
The traditional heart of Seoul is the old Joseon dynasty city, now the [[Downtown Seoul|downtown area]], where most palaces, government offices, corporate headquarters, hotels, and traditional markets are located. [[Cheonggyecheon]], a stream that runs from west to east through the valley before emptying into the Han River, was for many years covered with concrete, but was recently restored by an urban revival project in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=85750|title=Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream symbolizes Korea's past, present and tomorrow|publisher=[[Korea.net]]|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222142757/http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=85750|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jongno]] street, meaning "Bell Street", has been a principal street and one of the earliest commercial streets of the city,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M8Xj7pHu1jEC|title=The Emerging Asian City: Concomitant Urbanities and Urbanisms|editor=Vinayak Bharne|page=59|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|isbn=9780415525978|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042515/https://books.google.com/books?id=M8Xj7pHu1jEC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2012/06/137_68203.html|title=Jongno walk|date=24 June 2010|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|author=Andrei Lankov|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001120702/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2012/06/137_68203.html|url-status=live}}</ref> on which one can find [[Bosingak]], a pavilion containing a large bell.

[[File:Sungryemun of seoul.jpg|thumb|right|[[Namdaemun|Sungnyemun]] (commonly known as Namdaemun)]]
Seoul has many historical and cultural landmarks. In [[Amsa-dong|Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site]], [[Gangdong District]], neolithic remains were excavated and accidentally discovered by a flood in 1925.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264111 |title=Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site |publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]] |access-date=12 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135311/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264111 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Urban and civil planning was a key concept when Seoul was first designed to serve as a capital in the late 14th century. The Joseon dynasty built the "Five Grand Palaces" in Seoul—[[Changdeokgung]], [[Changgyeonggung]], [[Deoksugung]], [[Gyeongbokgung]] and [[Gyeonghuigung]]—all of which are located in the Jongno and Jung Districts. Among them, Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO [[World Heritage]] List in 1997 as an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design". The main palace, Gyeongbokgung, underwent a large-scale restoration project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/data/data_01.jsp?dep1=2&dep2=1|title=About the Palace|publisher=Gyeongbokgung Palace|access-date=12 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614221413/http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/data/data_01.jsp?dep1=2&dep2=1|archive-date=14 June 2008}}</ref> Seoul has been surrounded by walls that were built to regulate visitors from other regions and protect the city in case of an invasion. [[Pungnap Toseong]] is a flat earthen wall built at the edge of the Han River, which is widely believed to be the site of [[Wiryeseong]]. [[Mongchontoseong|Mongchon Toseong]] is another earthen wall built during the Baekje period that is now located inside the [[Olympic Park, Seoul|Olympic Park]].<ref name="toseong">{{cite web |title=Pungnap-toseong (Earthen Ramparts) |url=http://m.visitseoul.net/en/m/article/article.do?_method=view&m&p=02&menu=0004003002017&art_id=535&searchLoca&searchTheme=0002000001003&flag&searchType |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140222005911/http://m.visitseoul.net/en/m/article/article.do?_method=view&m&p=02&menu=0004003002017&art_id=535&searchLoca&searchTheme=0002000001003&flag&searchType |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=7 February 2014 |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]}}</ref> The [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]] of Seoul was built early in the Joseon dynasty for protection of the city. After many centuries of destruction and rebuilding, about {{frac|2|3}} of the wall remains, as well as six of the original [[The Eight Gates of Seoul|eight gates]]. These gates include the south gate [[Namdaemun]] and the east gate Dongdaemun. Namdaemun was the oldest wooden gate until a 2008 arson attack, and was re-opened after complete restoration in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sungnyemun to open to great fanfare after more than five years of renovation|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130430000738|access-date=1 May 2013|publisher=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=30 April 2013|archive-date=30 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430200528/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130430000738|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Museums===
{{Main|List of museums in Seoul}}
{{See also|List of museums in South Korea}}
[[File:国立中央博物館とソウルタワー - panoramio.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[National Museum of Korea]]]]
Seoul is home to 115 museums,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stat.seoul.go.kr/jsp2/Octagon/jsp/WWS7/WWSDS7100.jsp?stc_cd=401&lang=eng|title=Status of Museum|access-date=18 September 2014|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|archive-date=11 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911123740/http://stat.seoul.go.kr/jsp2/Octagon/jsp/WWS7/WWSDS7100.jsp?stc_cd=401&lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref> including four national and nine official municipal museums. The [[National Museum of Korea]] has a collection of 220,000 artifacts.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|url=http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/play/seouls-best-museums-060516|title=Seoul's best museums|date=27 October 2011|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=2 June 2013|archive-date=16 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916014140/http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/play/seouls-best-museums-060516|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[National Folk Museum of Korea|National Folk Museum]] is located on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung and focuses on the daily life of historical Koreans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268152|title=National Folk Museum of Korea|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=16 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716225730/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268152|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bukchon Hanok Village]] and [[Namsangol Hanok Village]] are old residential districts consisting of ''[[hanok]]'' (traditional Korean houses).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264116|title=Namsangol Hanok Village|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012013656/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264116|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=561382|title=Bukchon Hanok Village|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915192817/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=561382|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[War Memorial of Korea|War Memorial]] covers the history of wars that Korea has been involved with, especially the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1848378_1848364_1848280,00.html|title=Seoul: 10 Things to Do|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=18 September 2014|last1=Veale|first1=Jennifer|archive-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927065439/http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1848378_1848364_1848280,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268131|title=The War Memorial of Korea|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214214704/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268131|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Seodaemun Prison]] is a former prison built during the Japanese occupation, and is used as a historic museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268143|title=Seodaemun Prison History Museum|publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]]|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604201044/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268143|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Seoul Museum of Art]], [[Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art]], and [[Ilmin Museum of Art]] are art museums in the city.

===Festivals===
{{See also|List of South Korean festivals}}
[[File:Korea-Hi Seoul Festival-2006-01.jpg|thumb|[[Seoul Street Art Festival]] concert in [[Seoul City Hall]] Square]]
In October 2012, [[KBS Hall]] in Seoul hosted major international music festivals&nbsp;– First ABU TV and Radio Song Festivals within frameworks of [[Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union]] 49th General Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|title=ABU TV and Radio Song Festivals 2012|url=http://esckaz.com/2012/abu.htm|publisher=ESCKAZ.com|access-date=17 August 2012|archive-date=10 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410022318/http://esckaz.com/2012/abu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=ESCKaz is banned by WikiProject Eurovision.|date=April 2022}}<ref>{{cite web|title=ABU GA Seoul 2012|url=http://www.abu2012seoul.com/|publisher=Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union|access-date=17 August 2012|archive-date=3 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303011118/http://www.abu2012seoul.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Seoul Street Art Festival]] is a seasonal cultural festival held four times a year every spring, summer, autumn, and winter in Seoul, South Korea since 2003. It is based on the "Seoul Citizens' Day" held on every October since 1994 to commemorate the 600 years history of Seoul as the capital of the country. The festival is arranged under the [[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]. {{As of|2012}}, Seoul has hosted [[Ultra Music Festival]] Korea, an annual dance music festival that takes place on the 2nd weekend of June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umfkorea.com/|title=Ultra Korea – June 8, 9, 10 2018|website=Ultra Korea|access-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906042259/http://umfkorea.com/|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Media===
{{further|Media of South Korea}}
{{See also|Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club}}

[[File:KBS Main Building in 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]] headquarters in [[Yeouido]], Seoul]]

Seoul is home of the major South Korean networks [[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]], [[Seoul Broadcasting System|SBS]], and [[Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation|MBC]]. The city is also home to the major South Korean newspapers ''[[The Chosun Ilbo]]'', ''[[The Dong-A Ilbo]]'', ''[[JoongAng Ilbo]]'', and ''[[Hankook Ilbo]]''. In Seoul, there is a digital news operation for the [[New York Times]]. It can accommodate up to 50 employees. It has about 20 editors and staff.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 11, 2021 |title=New York Times opens Asia news hub in Seoul |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/05/11/national/socialAffairs/New-York-Times-Stephen-DunbarJohnson-Hong-Kong/20210511194200448.html |work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]}}</ref> [[The Washington Post]] Seoul Hub is one of the key bases of the Wall Street Journal along with that of London.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 2021 |title=The Washington Post announces breaking-news reporters for Seoul hub |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2021/07/12/washington-post-announces-breaking-news-reporters-seoul-hub/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|Sports in Seoul}}
[[File:View_from_COEX_Tower.jpg|thumb|[[Seoul Sports Complex]]]]
Seoul is a major center of [[Sports in South Korea|South Korean sports]], and has the largest number of professional sports teams and facilities in the country. In the history of South Korea's major professional sports league championships, which include the [[K League]], [[KBO League]], [[Korean Basketball League|KBL]] and [[V-League (South Korea)|V-League]], Seoul had multiple championship winners during the same season twice; in 1990, when [[FC Seoul|Lucky-Goldstar FC]] (currently [[FC Seoul]]) won the [[1990 K League]] and the [[LG Twins]] won the 1990 KBO League, and in 2016, when FC Seoul won the [[2016 K League Classic]] and the [[Doosan Bears]] won the [[2016 KBO League season|2016 KBO League]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediaus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=70906|script-title=ko:2016 프로야구와 프로축구는 모두'서울의 봄'|language=ko|publisher=Medeaus Ilbo|date=7 November 2016|access-date=7 November 2016|archive-date=9 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109222705/http://www.mediaus.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=70906|url-status=live}}</ref>

Seoul hosted the [[1986 Asian Games]], also known as [[Asian Games|Asiad]], [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Olympic Games]], and [[1988 Summer Paralympics|Paralympic Games]]. It also served as one of the host cities of the [[FIFA World Cup 2002|2002 FIFA World Cup]]. [[Seoul World Cup Stadium]] hosted the opening ceremony and first game of the tournament. [[Taekwondo]] is South Korea's national sport and Seoul is the location of the [[Kukkiwon]], the world headquarters of taekwondo, as well as the [[World Taekwondo Federation]].

==Transportation==
{{Main|Transportation in Seoul}}
Seoul has a well developed transportation network. Its system dates back to the era of the [[Korean Empire]], when the first streetcar lines were laid and a railroad linking Seoul and Incheon was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The subway's past and present |url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=121100 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218084413/https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=121100 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |website=[[Korea.net]]}}</ref> Seoul's most important streetcar line ran along Jongno until it was replaced by Line 1 of the subway system in the early 1970s. Other notable streets in [[downtown Seoul]] include [[Euljiro]], [[Teheranno]], [[Sejongno]], [[Chungmuro]], Yulgongno, and Toegyero. There are nine major subway lines stretching for more than {{convert|250|km|0|abbr=on}}, with one additional line planned. {{As of|2010}}, 25% of the population has a commute time of an hour or longer.

===Bus===
{{Main|Seoul Buses}}
[[File:Seoul Buses.png|right|thumb|Seoul buses]]
Seoul's bus system is operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (S.M.G.), with four primary bus configurations available servicing most of the city. Seoul has many large intercity/express bus terminals. These buses connect Seoul with cities throughout South Korea. The Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Central City Terminal and Seoul Nambu Terminal are located in the district of [[Seocho District]]. In addition, East Seoul Bus Terminal in [[Gwangjin District]] and Sangbong Terminal in [[Jungnang District]] handles traffics mainly from Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces.

===Urban rail===
[[File:Seoul-station-20181122-072342.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Seoul Station]]]]
{{Main|Seoul Metropolitan Subway}}
Seoul has a comprehensive [[Urban rail transit|urban railway]] network of 21 [[rapid transit]], [[Medium-capacity rail transport system|light metro]] and [[Commuter rail|commuter]] lines that interconnects every district of the city and the surrounding areas of [[Incheon]], [[Gyeonggi province]], western [[Gangwon Province, South Korea|Gangwon Province]], and northern [[South Chungcheong Province]]. With more than 8&nbsp;million passengers per day, the subway is one of the [[Metro systems by annual passenger rides|busiest subway systems in the world]] and the largest in the world, with a total track length of {{convert|940|km|abbr=on}}. In addition, in order to cope with the various modes of transport, Seoul's metropolitan government employs several mathematicians to coordinate the subway, bus, and traffic schedules into one timetable. The various lines are run by [[Korail]], [[Seoul Metro]], [[NeoTrans Co. Ltd.]], [[AREX]], and Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation.

===Train===
[[File:KTX-Sancheon.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[KTX Sancheon]]]]
Seoul is connected to every major city in South Korea by rail. Most major South Korean cities are linked via the [[Korea Train Express|KTX]] high-speed train, which has a normal operation speed of more than {{convert|300|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. The Mugunghwa and Saemaeul trains also stop at all major stations. Major railroad stations include:{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
* [[Seoul Station]], [[Yongsan District]]: Gyeongbu line ([[KTX]]/[[ITX-Saemaeul]]/[[Nuriro]]/[[Mugunghwa-ho]])
* [[Yongsan station]], [[Yongsan District]]: Honam line (KTX/ITX-Saemaeul/Nuriro/Mugunghwa), Jeolla/Janghang lines (Saemaul/Mugunghwa)
* [[Yeongdeungpo station]], [[Yeongdeungpo District]]: Gyeongbu/Honam/Janghang lines (KTX/ITX-Saemaeul/Saemaul/Nuriro/Mugunghwa)
* [[Cheongnyangni station]], [[Dongdaemun District]]: Gyeongchun/Jungang/Yeongdong/Taebaek lines ([[ITX-Cheongchun]]/ITX-Saemaeul/Mugunghwa)
* [[Suseo station]] (HSR), [[Gangnam District]]: [[Suseo High Speed Railway|Suseo HSR]] (SRT)

===Airports===
Seoul is served by two international airports, [[Incheon International Airport]] and [[Gimpo International Airport]].
[[File:Seoul Incheon Airport (27833094934).jpg|thumb|right|[[Incheon International Airport]]]]
[[Gimpo International Airport]] opened in 1939 as an airfield for the [[Japanese Imperial Army]] and opened for civil aircraft in 1957. Since the opening of Incheon International, Gimpo International handles domestic flights along with some short haul international flights to [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo Haneda]], [[Osaka Kansai International Airport|Osaka Kansai]], [[Taipei Songshan Airport|Taipei Songshan]], [[Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport|Shanghai Hongqiao]], and [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing Capital]] although flights to [[Osaka Kansai International Airport|Osaka Kansai]] and [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing Capital]] also operate from Incheon International.

[[Incheon International Airport]] opened in March 2001 in [[Yeongjong]] island. It is now responsible for major international flights. Incheon International Airport is Asia's eighth busiest airport in terms of passengers, the world's [[World's busiest airports by cargo traffic|fourth busiest airport]] by cargo traffic, and the world's [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|eighth busiest airport]] in terms of international passengers in 2014. In 2016, 57,765,397 passengers used the airport. Incheon International Airport opened terminal 2 on 18 January 2018.

Incheon and Gimpo are linked to Seoul by [[Incheon International Airport Expressway|expressway]], and to each other by the [[Incheon International Airport Railroad|AREX]] to [[Seoul Station]]. Intercity bus services are available to various destinations around the country.

===Cycling===
[[Cycling]] is becoming increasingly popular in Seoul and in the entire country. Both banks of the Han River have cycling paths that run all the way across the city along the river. In addition, Seoul introduced in 2015 a [[bicycle-sharing system]] named [[Ddareungi]] (and named Seoul Bike in English).<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2016 |title=Expanded Operation of Seoul Bike "Ddareungi" |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/expanded-operation-seoul-bike-ddareungi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405125139/http://english.seoul.go.kr/expanded-operation-seoul-bike-ddareungi/ |archive-date=5 April 2019 |website=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]}}</ref>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of diplomatic missions in South Korea}}
Seoul is a member of the [[Asian Network of Major Cities 21]] and the [[C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group]]. In addition, Seoul hosts many embassies of countries it has diplomatic ties with.

===Sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South Korea}}
<div class="noprint">
Seoul has 23 [[sister cities]]:<ref name="Seoul sister cities">{{Cite web |title=Sister & Friendship Cities - |url=https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/international-exchange/sister-friendship-cities/ |access-date=30 September 2022 |website=Official Website of the Seoul Metropolitan Government |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930145318/https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/international-exchange/sister-friendship-cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smc.seoul.kr/foreign/view.do?menuId=026004003&lang=english |title=Exchange Cities of Seoul Metropolitan Council |publisher=Seoul Metropolitan Council |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907000222/https://www.smc.seoul.kr/foreign/view.do?menuId=026004003&lang=english |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=23em|
* {{flagicon|ROC}} [[Taipei]], Taiwan (1968)
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]], Turkey (1971)
* {{flagicon|US}} [[Honolulu]], United States (1976)
* {{flagicon|US}} [[San Francisco]], United States (1976)
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[São Paulo]], Brazil (1977)
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[Bogotá]], Colombia (1982)
* {{flagicon|IDN}} [[Jakarta]], Indonesia (1984)
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tokyo]], Japan (1988)
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Moscow]], Russia (1991)
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[New South Wales]], Australia (1991)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paris]], France (1991)
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mexico City]], Mexico (1992)
* {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Beijing]], China (1993)
* {{flagicon|MNG}} [[Ulaanbaatar]], Mongolia (1995)
* {{flagicon|VNM}} [[Hanoi]], Vietnam (1996)
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Warsaw]], Poland (1996)
* {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Cairo]], Egypt (1997)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Rome]], Italy (2000)
* {{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Astana]], Kazakhstan (2004)
* {{flagicon|US}} [[Washington, D.C.]], United States (2006)
* {{flagicon|GRE}} [[Athens]], Greece (2006)
* {{flagicon|THA}} [[Bangkok]], Thailand (2006)
* {{flagicon|UZB}} [[Tashkent]], Uzbekistan (2010)
}}
</div>

==See also==
{{portal|South Korea|Seoul|Cities}}
* [[Geography of South Korea]]
* [[List of cities in South Korea]]
* [[List of most populous cities]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Seoul]]
* [[Economy of Seoul]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===

* {{Cite book |url=https://history.seoul.go.kr/archive/ebook/view.do?bookguid=4018D15F-7502-9E47-DF0A-BF36B10FD533&codeId=EBK0018&key=2211220003&pageIndex=2&orderBy=registDe+desc&sw=&arrSc=&period=&sc_wDateS=2024.11.02&sc_wDateE=2024.11.09&sw=&separator=and&sw=&separator=and |script-title=ko:서울 2천년사 |date=December 20, 2015 |publisher={{Ill|Seoul Historiography Institute|ko|서울역사편찬원}} |isbn=9788994033839 |volume=2. 서울지역의 선사문화 |language=ko |trans-title=[[Seoul: A 2,000-Year History]] |ref={{SfnRef|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 2|2015}}}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://history.seoul.go.kr/archive/ebook/view.do?bookguid=721EE92B-5B80-F32F-7589-418E2EEC5C9D&codeId=EBK0018&key=2211220003&pageIndex=2&orderBy=registDe+desc&sw=&arrSc=&period=&sc_wDateS=2024.11.25&sc_wDateE=2024.12.02&sw=&separator=and&sw=&separator=and |script-title=ko:서울 2천년사 |date=December 20, 2015 |publisher={{Ill|Seoul Historiography Institute|ko|서울역사편찬원}} |isbn=9788994033839 |volume=3. 한성백제의 건국과 발전 |language=ko |trans-title=[[Seoul: A 2,000-Year History]] |ref={{SfnRef|Seoul: A 2,000-Year History Vol. 3|2015}}|title=}}

==External links==
*{{Wiktionary-inline|Seoul}}
*{{Commons and category inline|Seoul}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline|Seoul}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Seoul}}

===Official sites===
* {{URL|1=https://english.seoul.go.kr/|2=Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
* {{URL|1=https://opengov.seoul.go.kr/|2=Seoul Information & Communication Plaza website}} {{in lang|ko}}

===Tourism and living information===
* [http://www.visitseoul.net/ i Tour Seoul] – The Official Seoul Tourism Guide Site

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Capital of Korea|Capital of Baekje]]|before=|after=[[Gongju|Ungjin]]|years=18 BC – 475 AD}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Capital of Korea]]|before=[[Kaesong|Gaegyeong]]|after=Incumbent|years=1394–present}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Capital of Korea|Capital of South Korea]]|before=New creation|after=Incumbent|years=1948–present}}
{{S-end}}

{{Seoul}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}}
{{Paralympic Summer Games Host Cities}}
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{{Seoul landmarks}}
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{{ABU TV Song Festival}}
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[[Category:Seoul| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Seoul Capital Area]]
[[Category:Special Cities and Metropolitan Cities of South Korea]]
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