Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, located along the Han River in the northwest of the country. The city served as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty starting in 1394, remaining Korea's political and cultural center for nearly six centuries. Its native Korean name, «Seoul», is an exception among Korean city names, most of which derive from Chinese characters.
A Blend of Royal Tradition and Ultra-Modernity
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Joseon-era royal palaces, hosts a daily royal guard-changing ceremony, while nearby Bukchon Hanok Village preserves traditional wooden houses amid the modern city center. Across the Han River rise the towers of Gangnam, a district that gained worldwide fame through K-pop and Korea's thriving entertainment industry.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Joseon-era royal palaces
- Bukchon Hanok Village, with its preserved traditional wooden houses
- N Seoul Tower, overlooking the city from Namsan Mountain
- Gangnam, the hub of modern entertainment and fashion industries
Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics and today hosts global tech giants such as Samsung and LG, while ranking among the world's most advanced cities for high-speed internet and public transportation.