City history
From Joseon dynasty water clocks and bell chimes to modern atomic time, Seoul evolved through unique timezone adjustments and native naming traditions.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Fortress of Wirye"
Wiryeseong was recorded in 18 BCE in the Samguk Sagi as the founding capital of Baekje along the Han River basin. While the native word 'Seoul' developed later from ancient Korean terms for capital city, Wiryeseong represents the earliest documented historical name for a capital established at present-day Seoul.
Fortress of Wirye
Established as the capital of Baekje along the Han River basin in 18 BCE, representing the earliest documented fortified capital within modern Seoul.
Southern Capital
Designated as the Southern Capital under Goryeo King Munjong, serving as a key administrative center based on strategic and geomantic principles.
Fortress on the Han River / North of the Han
Established as the official capital of the Joseon dynasty by King Taejo, protected by city walls, royal gates, and four surrounding mountain peaks.
Capital City
Official city name utilized during Japanese rule, reflecting the Sino-Korean term for capital city until liberation at the end of World War II.
Capital City
Official name adopted after liberation in 1945, derived from native Korean terms for capital city and replacing colonial administrative designations.
Chapter two
The Korean Empire adopted its first unified standard time set at GMT+8:30 based on the 127.5°E longitude meridian running through the Korean Peninsula.
During Japanese rule, the Governor-General shifted Korea's standard time to GMT+9:00 to align synchronized timekeeping with Tokyo and Japan Standard Time.
President Syngman Rhee adjusted South Korea's standard meridian back to GMT+8:30 to reassert historical national timekeeping independence from colonial precedent.
South Korea permanently re-established standard time at UTC+9:00 to simplify international maritime, aviation, military, and commercial synchronization.
South Korea briefly implemented daylight saving time in 1987 and 1988 to accommodate international broadcast schedules during the Seoul Summer Olympic Games.
Chapter three
The Joseon monarchy established a central bell tower in Hanyang to ring the daily Injeong and Pabu chimes, opening city gates and signaling night curfews.
Inventor Jang Yeong-sil constructed the Borugak Jagyeongnu water clock under King Sejong, using floating levers and falling metal spheres to sound automatic time signals.
King Sejong commissioned bowl-shaped sundials marked with hour lines and solar terms, installing them in public street locations for daily public use.
The expansion of passenger rail and the Han River bridge connected Seoul to regional rail lines, necessitating synchronized public timetables and precise clock networks.
The annual New Year's Eve bell ceremony at Bosingak became a national broadcasting tradition, striking the restored bell 33 times at midnight to celebrate the incoming year.