Home VHS: Cities of the World - Seoul

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is home to almost eleven million people.

The area around Seoul's Han River has been settled since 4000 BC.

During the early middle ages, the Three Kingdoms of...

... Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje competed for control of the area.

The Joseon dynasty and later Korean Empire made Seoul their capital.

During the centuries of Joseon rule, the gates in Seoul's walls...

... were closed each day, accompanied by the ringing of the bells at Bosingak belfry.

Seoul, along with the entire Korean peninsula, was annexed by

... the Japanese Empire in 1910. The Japanese occupation lasted until 1945.

Seoul was heavily damaged by the Korean War of 1950 to '53...

... and the capital was temporarily moved to Busan.

Following the partition of Korea in 1953, Seoul became the capital of South Korea.

Today, Seoul is a booming technological center, and hosted the 1988 Olympics.

Its landmarks include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gyeongdong Market...

... the Seongsan Bridge, and the fashionable Gangnam District.