South Korea

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and its political, economic, and cultural center. It hosts the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and most central government functions (some ministries operate from Sejong, but the official capital remains Seoul). It’s also the country’s largest city, straddling the Han River. Historically, Seoul has been Korea’s capital since 1394, when the Joseon dynasty established its seat in Hanyang (the old name for Seoul). Today, it’s a global hub for technology and K-culture. To remember: “The soul of South Korea is Seoul.” The other options are major cities but not the capital—Busan is the main port in the southeast, Incheon is a key port and hosts the country’s largest international airport, and Jeju City is on Jeju Island.