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Quick answerSeoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with 9,579,449 people inside the city limits in 2026. The wider metropolitan area had about 26.0 million people in 2026. It is best known for the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the K-pop. Its official languages are Korean and Korean Sign Language, and its currency is the South Korean won.
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with 9,579,449 people (first quarter of 2026) and about 26 million in the Seoul Capital Area. It stands on the Han River and is home to five grand palaces from the Joseon dynasty.
Key facts
| Country | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 9,579,449 (2026) |
| Population (metro) | 26,037,000 (2026) · Seoul Capital Area (Seoul–Incheon–Gyeonggi), Q1 2026 |
| Elevation | 38 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Seoul |
| Language | Korean, Korean Sign Language |
| Currency | South Korean won (KRW, ₩) |
| Coordinates | 37.56° N, 126.99° E |
Overview
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with 9,579,449 people in the first quarter of 2026 and about 26 million in the wider Seoul Capital Area, which holds about half of the country's population. The city stands on the Han River in the north-west of South Korea, about 50 kilometres from the Demilitarized Zone that separates it from North Korea.
Seoul became the capital of the Joseon dynasty in 1394, and its five grand palaces, above all Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, still stand in the city centre, beside the Bukchon Hanok Village of traditional wooden houses. The city was largely rebuilt after the Korean War of 1950 to 1953, and its old walls, gates and temples now stand among skyscrapers, shopping districts and the N Seoul Tower.
Today Seoul is South Korea's political, economic and cultural capital, home to the national government, the headquarters of the country's largest companies, and the centre of K-pop, television drama and film. The city hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988, and its palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
What Seoul is known for
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- K-pop
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- N Seoul Tower
- Korean cuisine
- Myeongdong
Landmarks
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- N Seoul Tower
- Myeongdong
- Jogyesa Temple
- National Museum of Korea
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Seoul?
About 9.6 million people live inside the Seoul city limits (9,579,449 in the first quarter of 2026). The wider Seoul Capital Area, which includes Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, had about 26 million people. That is about half of South Korea's whole population.
What is Seoul famous for?
Seoul is famous for its five grand palaces, above all Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, the Bukchon Hanok Village, the N Seoul Tower and the shopping districts of Myeongdong and Hongdae. It is also known as the centre of K-pop, Korean drama and film.
Where is Seoul located?
Seoul is in the north-west of South Korea, on the Han River, about 50 kilometres from the Demilitarized Zone with North Korea. It is the capital of South Korea. Its coordinates are 37.56° N, 126.99° E, and its time zone is Korea Standard Time (UTC+9).
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Keep exploring
- South Korea — the country Seoul is in
- Busan — another city in South Korea
- Incheon — another city in South Korea
- Daegu — another city in South Korea
- All cities in South Korea
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.