History of Bukchon

The 'North Village', or Bukchon grew up around streams which wound their way down from Mt Baekak and Mt Eungbong. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) it became known as the area where the aristocracy lived, particularly those families supporting the operations of the nearby Gyeongbuk Palace.

For over 500 years, relatives of the royal family, high public officials and other important families built their houses in this area, which became increasing a center of arts and culture.

In 1977, Seoul Metropolitcan City designated the remaining traditional 'hanok' houses as Local Cultural Assets to protect them and preserve the area. Despite these efforts, today the district has only about 900 remaining and only two streets remain entirely filled with hanoks.

Most of the original hanoks were first renovated in the 1920s and 1930s to include more modern functional kitchens and bathroom. Today, a renovation boom is underway, with many of the hanoks being artistically transformed into functional modern houses while maintaining an exterior of tradition. Read more here and here.

Historical sites to visit

Yun Posun's House - This is the largest remaining hanok in the area. This is the house of Korea's former president Yun Posun and was the birthplace of theKorean Democratic Party, the firstdemocratic party in Korea.

I is still used as a private house, with a working cottage garden at the rear with views of Hyundai company headquarters. It is possible to arrange tours by appointment (call the Bukchon Cultural Centre to find out how +82-(0)2-3707-8388).

The compound houses three hanoks, one being an intriguing western/hanok mix. A BBC correspondent even rented oneto live in in the mid-2000s.

The upper floors of the five storey, run-down publishing house building directly outside the gates of this hanok were used by the opposition party as a sniper site, to try and knock off democratic politiians.

Enjoy of the detail and the gardens as much as the architecture of this compound.