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| 북촌한옥마을(Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul) |
I have a deep interest in history and human geography, and sometimes I feel a bit restricted by all the buildings around me. That’s one reason I love traveling—it’s such a thrill to move from one city to another, exploring its history, culture, and the way nature blends with city life. Seeing historical sites I've only read about and experiencing different lifestyles in natural surroundings unlike those in Seoul is an incredible experience.
I’d love to hear about your experiences and thoughts as well! I studied history education, so I can share stories about Korean history, and I’m also a bit of a foodie, so I’d be happy to recommend some great places to eat in Seoul. Feel free to tell me about the cities you’d like to visit when you come to Korea too. Nice to meet you all!
Hi Sojung! I am a student from New Zealand. Would you be able to tell me how the history of Korean dynasties affected the urban development of major cities on the peninsula, such as Seoul and Busan? If you have any questions relating to the history or geography of New Zealand, please let me know!
ReplyDeleteMiro Thomas Ireson
Oh, Hiii!!!! Sorry for late :)
DeleteSeoul has been the capital city for over 700 years, including during the Baekje period (Three Kingdoms Era), the Joseon Dynasty, and modern-day South Korea. Even when it wasn't the official capital, it still held a special administrative status. In fact, when students in Korea study the golden age of each kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Era (4rd to 7th centuries), they often use "the period when the kingdom ruled the Han River (Seoul)" as the benchmark for that kingdom's peak. During the Goryeo Dynasty, Seoul was referred to as 'Namkyeong', meaning "Southern Capital." This shows that Seoul has been a city with deep historical roots for centuries.
Busan was also never just a small town historically. However, its significance grew especially during the Korean War when Seoul fell, forcing the government to retreat southward and temporarily designate Busan as the capital. Many people settled there during that time. After the war Busan's status as a major international port began to grow. Later, President Park Chung-hee constructed the Gyeongbu Expressway, connecting Seoul and Busan. As a result, Busan is now the second-largest city in South Korea.
Modern Korean administrative divisions owe much to the Joseon Dynasty. Excluding special cities (Seoul Special City and metropolitan cities), the rest of the country is divided into 'Do' provinces, such as Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do. These provinces often derive their names from the two largest cities in the region. For example, Gangwon-do takes its name from Gangneung and Wonju. An exception is Gyeonggi-do. Here, Gyeong means "capital" (referring to Seoul), and Gi means "surrounding area," literally translating to "the area surrounding Seoul." Historically, before Seoul became an independent special city, it was part of Gyeonggi-do.
Ah, but not all major cities from the Joseon Dynasty remain the largest cities in their respective regions today. For example, Jeolla Province (which is now divided into North Jeolla and South Jeolla) was named after Jeonju and Naju, two historically influential cities. While Jeonju remains the largest city in North Jeolla Province, the largest cities in South Jeolla Province today are Gwangju Metropolitan City and Yeosu. Additionally, the provincial government office of South Jeolla Province is located in Mokpo. Of course, Mokpo is also larger than Naju.
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