Pyongyang: Encyclopedia II - Pyongyang - History

Pyongyang - History

According to legend, the city was founded in 2333 BC as Wanggŏmsŏng (왕검성; 王儉城). It became a major city under the Go-Joseon Dynasty.

Goguryeo moved its capital here in 427. The Tang Empire and Silla allied and defeated Goguryeo in 668. In 676 it was taken by Silla but left in the border between Silla and Balhae until the Goryeo dynasty, when the city was revived as Sŏgyŏng (서경; 西京; "Western Capital," although never actually a capital of Goryeo). It was the provincial capital of the P'yŏngan Province during the Joseon Dynasty, becoming provincial capital of South P'yŏngan Province from 1896 and through the period of Japanese rule.

In 1945, Japanese rule ended and it was occupied by Soviet forces, and became the temporary capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at its establishment in 1948 while it aimed to recapture its official capital at that time of Seoul. It was severely damaged in the Korean War, during which it was briefly occupied by South Korean forces. After the war, the city was quickly rebuilt with Soviet help, with many buildings built in Stalinist architecture.

Pyongyang - Historic names

One of its many historic names is Ryugyŏng (류경; 柳京), or "capital of willows", as willow trees have always been numerous throughout the city's history, and many poems written about these willows. Even today, Pyongyang has numerous willow trees planted everywhere, and many buildings and places are named with "Ryugyŏng", the most notable of all being its uncompleted Ryugyong Hotel. Its other historic names include Kisŏng, Hwangsŏng, Rangnang, Sŏgyŏng, Sŏdo, Hogyŏng, Changan, etc.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki