History of Incheon

Incheon is treasured as one of the most fascinating cities of South Korea. Placed on the coast to the west of Seoul, the city offers some of the most beautiful sites in the region. The rich and diverse history which Incheon had witnessed adds to its attraction to the tourists here.

The history of Incheon dates back to the 18th century BC when a Biryu founded his capital in the city and named it Michuhol. The city changed its name a number of times as it went under different dominations. Under the rule of the Goryeo Dynasty, the city was titled 'yeongwongun' and 'yeongwonbu', as it was revered as a hometown of queens. After the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, the city was renamed as Inju and in 1413 it was again changed to 'Incheon-gun'. This is how the city got its present name and since the early years of the 15th century, it has continued to be known as Incheon.

For centuries, Incheon had been engaged in a continuous trade relation with China. The city served as a major trade centre of the region. The city however lost its key position in commerce as Jemulpo increased in importance as a political and commercial centre. With the US – Korea trade policies, the quiet fishing village of Jemulpo witnessed an unprecedented growth in trade and thus rose in importance, reducing the value of Incheon-eup, or the original Incheon. The city, as it stands today, is a self governed centre which emerged in 1949 when Incheon-bu was promoted to a separate city.

Incheon has since then been serving as an important centre of Korea’s export trade and the city experienced a boost in its trade situation after the 1960s. The city had also been a seat of modern politics during the Second World War as it functioned as the centre of the Japanese POW camp. Later during the Korean War in 1950, Incheon once again became a part of history as the US forces landed on its shores.