January 28, 2021
Reuters
For Kim Joo-tak and Noh Geon-hwi, two 20-something South Koreans , Seoul represents two sides of the same coin: the rich promise of living in a metropolis of 25-million-plus people, and the inequities that come with staying.
Young people and families from all corners of the country move to metropolitan Seoul – the Seoul Capital Area includes Seoul, Gyeonggi province and Incheon – for jobs, education and, in general, a chance to improve the quality of their lives.
With the country’s best schools and workplaces concentrated here – the capital area is home to the headquarters of 14 Fortune 500 companies, including the likes of Samsung and LG – the term “In-Seoul” is used to express a sense of distinction and elitism.