Reasons for Seoul's limited growth during the Yi Dynasty

walled city planning--a city wall provided internal protection, while an exterior wall protected against foreign invasion

agrarian economic system--Seoul was the administrative, military, and educational center, and there was no economic activity that was located in the city.

traditional Confucian principles--valued intellectual/academic learning rather than commerce or manufacturing

closed-door policies--known as the "Hermit Kingdom", Korea discouraged contact with the outside world

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