한성부; 경성부; 한양부; 수부; 수도; 관아; 청사; 한성부漢城府; 경성부京城府; 한양부漢陽府; 수부수도首府首都; 관아官衙; 청사廳舍; the Prefecture of Hanseong; Hanseong-bu; Kyongsung-bu; Hanyang-bu; a Capital City; a Government Office; Government Office Building
The Hanseong-bu (Hanseong Municipal Government) had experienced five locational changes during fifteen years before the fall of Joseon in 1910, although a municipal government to manage a capital had been normally kept in a place for a long time. Such frequent changes had resulted from national catastrophe, reorganization of administrative system, political chaos both at home and abroad, and tightening-up of central ministry or agency. Its political and administrative status followed same manner as its changes. First, the relocation to the remain of Wongak-sa in Tap-dong were founded on administrative subject, while the transference to Hunguk sinyeong (New Camp of the City Superintendent for Hanseong’s Defense) was a significant phenomenon which appeared as a measure to strengthen royal authority. Second, three of five relocations were intended to consolidate a national sovereignty in the circumstances of a national emergency. The reinforcement revealed through reorganization of administrative system, and resulted in placing an importance on the central ministry. The value of Hanseong-bu was gradually sapping its power. Third, Hanseong-bu was not at its best situations when Emperor Gojong abdicated the throne and then his army was demobilized after the Russo-Japanese War, and as a result it disappeared making a pretext to increase public security by Japanese colonial government.