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Seoul (From Wikipedia)
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Seoul is the capital of South Korea (the Republic of Korea) and is one of the most populous cities in the world, located in the northwestern part of the country on the Han River. It is a designated special city. On the establishment of South Korea in 1948 it became the capital of the country, except for a short time during the Korean War. Seoul is located at 37?5′N 127?′E.

Seoul is located in the northwest of the country, south of the DMZ, on the Han River. The city is the political, cultural, social and economic centre of South Korea. It is also an international centre for business, finance, multinational corporations, and global organizations. This, along with its position as the capital of one of the world's largest economies, has continued to raise its global status. Today, it is one of the most visible symbols of the Korean economic Miracle on the Han River.

According to UN Population Division figures, Seoul's Urban Area contained 10.3 million people in 2003, making it the 22nd most populous such area in the world. This ranking can vary from different independent sources, where the metropolitan area surroundings and suburbs can make differences. Its density has allowed it to become one of the most digitally-wired cities in today's globally connected economy. It also has more than 1 million registered vehicles which cause widespread traffic-jams beyond midnight. The larger Seoul metropolitan area and commuter belt, which includes the major harbour city Incheon and the largely residential city of Seongnam, is one of the world's most heavily populated. In recent years, the metropolitan government has carried out an extensive cleanup of the city's heavy air and water pollution, transforming the previously murky atmosphere into a cleaner one, though air pollution is still problematic.

Relocation of the capital

On August 11, 2004, the South Korean Government announced that the capital city would be located in the Gongju area, approximately 120km south of Seoul, as of 2007, to ease the population pressure on Seoul and to get the government to a safer distance from North Korea. The Government estimated that the move would probably not be completed before 2012. Although part of the election manifesto, this plan ignited nationwide controversy. On October 21, 2004, the Constitutional Court ruled that the special law for the relocation of the capital is unconstitutional since the relocation is a serious national matter requiring national referendum or revision of the constitution, at which point most people thought the debate was over.

However, the South Korean Government later announced plans to move almost all national government branches, except the Executive Branch, to Gongju, thus avoiding violation of the Constitutional Court ruling and still allow Seoul to be a National Capital in name only. The plan has yet to go forward and no new announcements have arisen since then.

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Travel Tips
Seoul's address system is similar to that of Japan.  Addresses are NOT based on a number on named streets like in many countries.  Rather, they are random numbers assigned within a certain block called "Dong".  Use subway stations, banks and police stands as your landmark when using a map of Seoul.  Learn to navigate based on those landmarks.  Maps are often given with any addresses on business cards or brochures, they are essential.  Don't throw them away.