9.6 million people, 16,000 per square kilometre — what draws everyone to Seoul and how to travel around the crowds.
Seoul is one of the world's most dynamic cities, and a magnet for people, opportunities and ambition. Business, education, culture and world-class transport concentrate in one metropolitan area, which makes it dense — and endlessly energetic.
Key takeaways
Seoul concentrates the country's business, finance and innovation, which pulls people in from everywhere.
Mountains and rivers frame the city, so growth went vertical rather than outward.
Universities, culture and transport reinforce the concentration.
Bright streets, CCTV, fast emergency response and a strong lost-and-found culture — why visitors say Korea feels different.
Korea has more than 55,000 convenience stores — what they sell, which chains matter and why they anchor daily life.
World-leading fibre, near-universal Wi-Fi and 5G — how fast Korean internet really is and how travellers get online.
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