Welcome to Hanseongbu: Governing the Capital of Joseon

Hanseongbu was the institution that managed the affairs of the capital, much like today's Seoul City Hall, and its head, the Panyun, oversaw the entire capital city and led its urban administration. Furthermore, it also possessed the characteristics of a central administrative agency, directly participating in state administration. Therefore, Hanseongbu was in charge of urban administration—such as household registry compilation, housing management, and the processing of various civil complaints—while concurrently undertaking nationwide duties, including maintaining order in the royal capital, storing household registries, and handling legal disputes. This exhibition comprehensively illuminates the various functions and aspects of Hanseongbu, aiming to reflect on the appearance and significance of modern-day Seoul through this historical lens. The realities of administration captured in historical records and the stories of the people who lived within those systems continue to offer valid questions and profound insights for us living today. We hope that the familiar yet unfamiliar story of Hanseongbu unfolding in this exhibition will serve as an opportunity to look anew at Seoul, the city where we work and live today.