Hansung

Hansung, also romanized Hanseong, is the historical name for the capital city of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The name is written in hanja as 漢城, commonly interpreted as “Han City” or “Capital of Han.” In Joseon-era English-language sources, the city is frequently referred to as Hanseong or Hanseong Fortified City.

The capital was established at Hanseong in 1394, when the Joseon Dynasty was founded, and served as the political and cultural center of Korea for several centuries. It remained the seat of government and royal authority through much of the late 19th century. The name Hanseong appears in official documents, maps, and chronicles from this period and is closely associated with the city’s role as the heart of the Korean state.

In the 20th century, during Japanese colonial rule, the city was known in Japanese as Keijō (京城). After Korea’s liberation, the metropolis adopted the Korean name Seoul, and that name became standard in both domestic and international contexts. Today, Hansung is primarily encountered in historical discussions, academic writings, and older documents as a reference to the Joseon-era capital.

Geographically, the Hanseong/Seoul area has long been centered around the Han River and the northern plains of the Korean peninsula, contributing to its development as a major urban and political hub. The term Hansung thus remains an important historical designation for understanding the origins and governance of Seoul.