Seoul Travel Guide - History

King Yi explored the country and chose Hanyang to be the centre of administration. Soon after, the city saw a period of building begin. Fortresses, palaces, castles and homes were built with ferocity and the site soon became home to the succession of Yi kings that lasted for about 200 years. During this time, King Yi began to develop relationships with China but refrained from negotiating or making contact with other nations. This resulted in its nickname ‘The Hermit Kingdom.’

However, with international trade firmly established in its neighbouring countries the Chosun Dynasty were forced to open its doors to western influence. With this move the Japanese annexed the capital city and renamed it Kyongsong. The Japanese declared that Korea was now a part of Japan forcing Korean farmers to give up their land to the Japanese who also outlawed the Korean language and forced all Koreans to change their names into Japanese names.