| Title |
The Construction and Significance of Japanese Military Roads in the Urban Formation of Yongsan, Seoul |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.4.213 |
| Keywords |
Yongsan Seoul; Urban Formation; Japanese Military Base; Military Roads; Guidelines for the Construction of Military Bases |
| Abstract |
This study explores the characteristics of military roads built as part of Japanese military facilities and the process through which they were
converted into public roads during the establishment of the Japanese military base in Yongsan, Seoul, between 1906 and 1913. The goal is to
clarify the role these military roads played in the urban development of Yongsan. Key findings include the following: First, the military
roads in Yongsan were planned and constructed based on the existing road network, following the Japanese military’s base construction
policy. Although this resulted in an irregular road layout, the spatial continuity of the road system established during the Joseon period
remained intact. Second, the Japanese military transferred control of these roads to the Government-General of Korea, transforming them from
solely military facilities into essential infrastructure supporting Yongsan’s urban growth. This case provides important evidence illustrating one
aspect of the urban formation process mediated by military facilities. |