Seoul City in the Contemporary World - Essay Example

Seoul City is surrounded by magnificent mountains, the tallest being the Bukhan, ostensibly the world’s most visited national park. Other scenic sites include the world’s longest fountain- the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (Tran). The rapid industrialization, urbanization, and economic boom of Seoul City are embroidered in the term the ‘Miracle on the Han River’ (Tran). Therefore; this paper will discuss the aspect of the ‘Miracle on the Han River’, and its effect on the urbanization of Seoul City as well as the economy.

In the contemporary world, Seoul City is considered one of the leading and rising global cities with an economic boom. ‘Miracle on the Han River’ was a term coined after the devastating effects of the Korean War. It is interesting to note that a costly war would be a step ladder toward economic growth. Ostensibly, the Korean people learned how a conflict can paralyze the economy of a country. The term is a representation of rapid industrialization, urbanization, economic boom, education boom, technological advancement, skyscraper boom, a rise in living standards, and modernization. This culminated in the successful hosting of the 1988 Summer Olympics Championship. Additionally, Seoul City co-hosted the 2002- FIFA World Cup. Consequently, the country transformed from the near destruction of the Korean War into globalization and democratization. The city is celebrated as wealthy, developed with sound economic viability, and exerting a global economic influence (The Korean Economy - the Miracle on the Hangang River). Currently, it boasts prominent multinational companies such as Samsung, Hyundai-Kia, and LG.

More specifically, the term refers to the economic growth of Seoul city through which the River Han flows. It is fascinating to note that it is termed a ‘miracle’ as it represents the economic rebirth of the country between the periods 1961 to 1996. Initially, the country was crippled by the Korean War which saw an escalation of poverty levels and unemployment rates. Interestingly, in less than four years, Seoul became a global city, a highly developed economic hub, center of business and commerce. It opened grounds for technological advancement and the development of communication infrastructure. Currently, the inhabitants consider opulence as national pride as well as a symbol of self-sufficiency (The Korean Economy - the Miracle on the Hangang River).

In summary, the ‘Miracle of the Han River’ captures the urbanization, modernization, and economic development of Seoul City. It is representative of South Korea’s rapid industrialization post the Korean- War. Seoul City is considered the world’s most metropolitan city and is the home of major world bodies such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to learn about how the city attained its economic, industrialization, and global status. Read More