Seoul - Foreword

Understanding Korea Series No.4
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	Foreword	Acknowledgments

Korea achieved extraordinary economic development today by overcoming historical crises and hardships with wisdom and intelligence. The foundation for such development is the result of South Korea’s harmonious integration of various characteristics like traditional culture, social structure, emphasis on education and politics. Accordingly, it is indeed a timely required task to broaden our understanding of South Korea by re-examining the engine of its miraculous development including its rich cultural heritage and economic achievements and by sharing new findings with the world.

Since its establishment in 1978, the Academy of Korean Studies has striven to develop and creatively preserve Korean culture. In doing so, the Academy of Korean Studies not only published many specialized academic books in Korean studies but also provided overseas scholastic support by training and producing Korean studies experts. Today, the Academy of Korean Studies faces a new opportunity to move forward in elevating the importance of Korean Studies in the world on the occasion of the rise of the Korean wave and professionalism in the field.

In this regard, I am delighted to see the publication of Seoul, the fourth book in the Understanding Korea Series. I hope that this book will contribute to deepening the international understanding of Korea and stimulate more interest in the creativity and authenticity of Korean culture. Finally, I would like to thank research members of the Center for International Affairs who made this publication possible.

February 2015

LEE Bae Yong, Ph.D.

President of the Academy of Korean Studies

Understanding Korea Series No.4 Seoul

Foreword · Acknowledgments 1. A City Called Seoul · 1.1 Introduction · 1.2 Seoul as the Capital and a Local City 2. The Capital of Joseon, Hanseong · 2.1 Seoul Before It Became the Capital · 2.2 The Principle Behind the Establishment of the Capital, Hanseong · 2.3 Population Changes in Hanseong 3. Modern City Gyeongseong · 3.1 Transformation of the City Prototype · 3.2 Transformation of the Urban Space · 3.3 Expansion of Gyeongseong’s Urban Area 4. The Growth of Seoul and Transformation of the Urban Space · 4.1 Population Growth and Expansion of the Urban Center · 4.2 Redevelopment of Gangbuk’s Original Urban Center · 4.3 New Development of Gangnam · 4.4 Differentiation of the Urban Space, the Way to a Polycentric City · 4.5 Megalopolitanization of Seoul Metropolitan Area: Megacity Seoul 5. Shadow of Growth and Regeneration and Healing of the City · 5.1 The Miracle on the Han River: Accomplishments and Shortcomings · 5.2 Apartment Nation and Economic Imbalance between Gangnam and Gangbuk · 5.3 Disappearance and Regeneration of the Traditional Urban Residences · 5.4 Waterways and Reviving Stream that have Disappeared · 5.5 Restoration of the Destructed Ecological Environment · 5.6 Congested Streets and Rising Environmental Pollution 6. Historical and Cultural City, Culture of Seoul · 6.1 Seoul’s Symbolic Space and the Emblem of Seoul, Haechi · 6.2 Diverse Cultural Areas and Streets · 6.3 Culture of Recreation and Past Time · 6.4 Consumer Culture of the Subway Station Vicinity Areas · 6.5 Education-oriented Culture 7. Global City Seoul’s Present · 7.1 Global City Seoul · 7.2 Policies Geared Toward a Global City Sources · About the Author