Inprocessing information
Inprocessing information can be found at the new Eighth Army newcomers webpage
Things to do near Yongsan
About Seoul
Seoul has a population of slightly more than ten million people.
It is located in the northwest part of the Republic, about 30 miles south of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), which separates North and South Korea.
The name derives from "Sorabol," the capital of the Shilla Kingdom. Seoul was established as
the capital in 1392 by the first emperor of the Yi Dynasty. At that time, Seoul was surrounded
entirely by the four hills that now form the boundaries of the downtown area. Today, the
urbanized area extends well beyond those boundaries. The Han River flows through the southern
part of the city and into the Yellow Sea.
Seoul is the main hub for Korea's history and culture. Part of the city's charm is the juxtaposition of traditional characteristics with modern life. For example, three of the major palaces in the city, Kyongbok, Changdok, and Toksu are all located in downtown Seoul and are within walking distance of the Embassy. A walk in almost any city neighborhood will reveal not only concrete, high-rise apartments, but also small parks and traditional homes.
Shops range from high-dollar establishments catering to the expatriate community, to local
"mom and pop" stores and street side vendors peddling traditional snacks.
Seoul suffered major setbacks from the Korean war, as 80% of the city was devastated. Since
that time, modern buildings have sprung up everywhere, and factories and industrial areas have
mushroomed throughout the city and beyond. Hosting the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Summer
Olympic Games, and serving as the co-host for the World Cup in 2002, and the Winter Olympics in 2018, Seoul's image as a major venue for international conferences has skyrocketed.
Today, Seoul continues to draw on its unique composition of cultural heritage and technological modernity, in order to bring it international fame and prestige.