North America Capitals Quiz
Try a short quiz about capitals across North America and the Caribbean.
🇰🇷 South Korea
Capital: Seoul
Seoul – South Korea’s national capital on the Han River.
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. Located along the Han River in the northwestern part of the country, it has served as a major political center since the Joseon Dynasty established its capital there in 1394. Today, Seoul contains the country’s principal presidential and national institutions, major universities, businesses, museums, historic palaces, and transport networks. Sejong has developed as a separate administrative center for many government ministries, but Seoul remains the national capital.
đź“ś Timeline of Seoul
1394: The Joseon Dynasty moved its capital to the area of present-day Seoul, then known as Hanyang.
1910: Korea was annexed by Japan, beginning a colonial period that brought major political and physical changes to the city.
1948: Seoul became the capital of the newly established Republic of Korea.
1950–1953: Seoul changed hands several times during the Korean War and suffered extensive damage before large-scale postwar reconstruction.
2012: Sejong Special Self-Governing City was launched as a national administrative center, and many central government ministries have since operated there.
2026: The design for a new Presidential Sejong Office was selected, with completion targeted for August 2029. The project expands Sejong’s administrative role without changing Seoul’s status as South Korea’s capital.
Today: Seoul remains the national capital and the location of major state institutions, while government functions are increasingly divided between Seoul and Sejong.
đź“Š Quick Stats
Capital Since
1394
Established as the Joseon capital under the name Hanyang.
Language
Korean
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW)
Geography
Northwestern South Korea, along the Han River
Time Zone
Korea Standard Time (KST), UTC+9
South Korea does not currently observe daylight saving time.
Calling Code
+82
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, first built in 1395 and later reconstructed after periods of destruction.
N Seoul Tower
A communications and observation tower on Namsan that provides wide views across central Seoul and the surrounding urban area.
Myeongdong
A central commercial district known for retail, restaurants, cosmetics stores, and busy pedestrian streets.
2026 Seoul and Sejong Administrative Update
South Korea continues to divide central government functions between Seoul and Sejong. Seoul remains the national capital, while Sejong hosts many government ministries and agencies and is being developed further as an administrative center.
In 2026, authorities selected the architectural design for the new Presidential Sejong Office. Construction planning is proceeding with August 2029 targeted for completion and occupancy. The project is intended to give the presidency a permanent working facility in Sejong rather than replace Seoul as the national capital.
On August 11, President Lee Jae Myung called for faster progress on both the Presidential Sejong Office and the planned National Assembly Sejong building. These projects would place more central government and legislative functions in Sejong while Seoul continues to hold the country’s capital status.
Seoul remains South Korea’s national capital and a major center of government, finance, education, transport, and culture. Sejong’s expanding administrative role is changing where some national institutions work without replacing Seoul as the capital.
