Seoul is a booming metropolis that combines tradition with cutting-edge technology. Its citizens value respect for their higher ranking officials and a deep pride in their venerable capital.
Visit Seoul in the spring to see the city’s stunning cherry blossom season. Then, explore its quirky museums and stroll through trendy cafes in Hongdae.
It’s a 24-hour city
Whether you’re into the latest fashion trends, K-Pop music or mouthwatering Korean food, Seoul has something for everyone. It also has an eye on the future with a cutting-edge public transportation system and burgeoning eco-friendly business districts.
But the city really comes alive at night – South Korea is known for its work hard, play hard drinking culture. The city is pulsing with bars, clubs and restaurants that stay open until the sun rises.
This astronaut’s photograph shows the urban areas of Seoul at night. Bright regions are streets and buildings, while dark areas indicate mountains or bodies of water. The capital of South Korea is a huge metropolis where modern skyscrapers and high-tech subways meet Buddhist temples and palaces. Here, trendy boutiques and chain stores coexist with traditional hanok houses and street markets. In the hip Insadong neighborhood, ancient hanoks conceal atmospheric teahouses and shopfronts that sell fine traditional Korean handcrafts like celadon pottery, Hanji paper lanterns and carved wooden masks.
It’s a multicultural city
Seoul is a multicultural city with a growing number of foreign residents. To meet their needs, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is introducing new policy programs to support immigrant families. These include 24-hour Multicultural Family Support Centers and mentoring programs for children from foreign-born households. In addition, SMG is promoting the careers of self-employed immigrants.
Despite this, national-level policies continue to categorize immigrant groups and reinforce social oppression through these categories. As the case of Seoul shows, a focus on equal participation as the only way to involve immigrant groups in urban policies can lead to misinterpretation of their reality and reinforce oppressive dimensions within this frame.
By understanding the multilayered oppression experienced by marriage migrants, foreign-born workers, and low-income immigrants, it is possible to identify their needs and better support them. The analysis of this multilayered oppression in relation to other dominant social groups can help us understand why and how their participation is hindered in urban policies.
It’s a modern city
Seoul’s economy is thriving and its residents are technologically advanced. The city boasts high levels of education, numerous corporate headquarters and world-leading digital communication infrastructure. It is also home to a number of cultural buildings of historic significance.
The urban development of Seoul hasn’t been without its issues, however. In the 1960s, the influx of migrants into the city caused rapid growth with little concern for aesthetics. As a result, many of the city’s buildings were built out of necessity rather than beauty.
The city is undergoing a process of rebuilding its cultural facilities to ensure that all citizens have access to culture and arts. This includes the creation of a new centre of culture, which will bring together the best of Seoul’s traditions and modernity. The centre is located along the Cheonggyecheon stream, close to the Jongno and Euljiro metro stations.
It’s a traditional city
Seoul’s cultural heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums and traditional markets. Its modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and K-pop culture blend with Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets. The futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the sculptural Hammering Man are among its architectural landmarks.
The city is also home to a number of well-preserved historic villages. One of these is Bukchon, whose name means “the north village.” Bukchon features well-preserved Hanoks, Korean traditional houses. Some of these houses have become cafes and galleries, while others remain lived in by local residents.
The city’s population of over ten million people is supported by a well-developed public transportation system. The city has nine subway lines and nearly two hundred bus routes that connect every district with one another. Its thriving economy is facilitated by world-leading digital communications infrastructure and high levels of education. The city’s dynamism has led to a work hard, play hard culture that is evident in its vibrant nightlife scene.