The Seoul National Capital Area, often known by its Korean name Sudogwon, is a region located at the center of the Korean peninsula and is home to the capital of South Korea, Seoul. This metropolitan area has a population of 23.3 million people (as of 2005). The region, according to traditional borders, encompasses Seoul, Incheon, Kaesong, and the satellite cities of Gyeonggi-do Province, but since the Korean War no longer includes Kaesong. It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea. Since the extension of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway to Cheonan, it now arguably extends beyond Gyeonggi province as well.

Geography and climate

The National Capital Area occupies a broad area of relatively flat land, much of which is taken up by the Han River valley. This land has traditionally been known as some of the most fertile on the Korean peninsula, although relatively little of it is now used for agriculture. The Gimpo Plain, one of the country's larger expanses of level arable land, covers much of the area of the cities of Gimpo and Guri.

The climate is mild, due to the area's location on the banks of the Yellow Sea, but somewhat colder and drier than most of South Korea.

History

The National Capital Area has been home to a Korean capital for more than 1,000 years. Its central location and relatively gentle landscape have given it a central role in the country's affairs.

The first capital to be constructed in the region was that of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The country's first capital, which according to legend was built in 19 BCE, was Wiryeseong. This is believed to have been constructed near the modern-day boundary of Seoul and Gwangju City. However, Baekje was unable to hold this territory, and surrendered the Han River valley to Goguryeo in the 5th century. The land was then taken over by Silla in the 6th century, at which point it came to play a critical role in helping Silla to establish ties with China.

After the fall of Silla, Taejo of Goryeo established the capital of his kingdom in Kaesŏng, now just north of the Demilitarized Zone. During the Mongol invasions of Korea in the 12th century, the seat of government briefly shifted to Ganghwa Island, now just south of the DMZ in Incheon metropolitan city.

After the fall of Goryeo in 1394, the capital moved to Seoul (then called Hanseong or Hanyang), staying within the same region. This status of capital remained even after the Joseon dynasty was replaced by the Korean Empire and then Japanese rule in the 20th century. Seoul (then called Gyeongseong) was not called the

Demographics

Covering only about 12% of the country's area, the Seoul metropolitan area is home to more than 48.3% of the national population. This percentage has risen steadily since the mid-20th century, and the trend is expected to continue. Currently more than half of the people who move from one region to another are moving to the Sudogwon. By 2020, it is projected that more than 52% of South Korea's population will live within the Sudogwon.

Government

Various agencies have been set up to deal with the intergovernmental problems of the region. Proposals for consolidating some or all of the cities of the Sudogwon into a handful of metropolitan cities have thus far not been successful.

Development in the area is currently governed by the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act (수도권정비계획법), first passed in 1982 and last revised in 1996.

Subdivisions

The exact boundaries of the Seoul metropolitan area are not clearly defined, although they generally include all cities directly adjacent to Seoul. The Sudogwon is often divided among the special city of Seoul, the metropolitan city of Incheon, and the following 19 cities:

• Ansan
• Anyang
• Bucheon
• Gimpo
• Goyang
• Gunpo
• Guri
• Gwacheon
• Gwangju
• Gwangmyeong
• Hanam
• Namyangju
• Paju
• Seongnam
• Siheung
• Suwon
• Uiwang
• Yangju
• Yongin

Transportation

The cities of the Sudogwon are tightly interconnected by road and rail. Many of the country's railroad lines, most notably the Gyeongbu Line, terminate in the region. In addition, the needs for commuter rail are served by the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, which passes not only through Seoul and Incheon, but also through most of the outlying cities.

In addition, the region is a nexus for travel by air and water. The country's two largest airports, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport, are both located in the metropolitan area. International and domestic ferries depart from Incheon's various ferry terminals several times a day; in addition, massive volumes of international freight pass through the container terminals of Incheon (primarily bound to and from China).

Seoul Ring Expressway (Expresway No.100) connects satellite cities around Seoul, Ilsan, Toegyewon, Hanam, Pyeongchon, Songnae, Bundang, Pangyo and Gimpo.

Notes

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See also

• Geography of South Korea
• Demographics of South Korea
• Metropolitan area
• List of metropolitan areas by population
• Subdivisions of South Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• Seoul Ring Expressway

External links

• Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office, in Korean
• Capital Region Development Institute, in Korean
• Chosun Ilbo metro news, in Korean
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Geography of South Korea | Metropolitan areas of South Korea | Gyeonggi

수도권 | 首都圏