Hanyang, the Joseon capital established in 1394 by King Taejo Lee sung gae. He choose Hanyang as the new capital from Gaesung which is now in North Korea. Hanyang became capital according to traditions, feng shui and confucianism. It was also center of politics, economy and cultural systems. There's a street leading to Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung was called Yukjogeori known as 'Six Minstries Street', the compounds for the government offices lined the east to west. Hanyang became bigger as population grew. Furthermore, there's a street known as 'Unjongga' also the commercial center of Joseon. There was lots of a licensed store or markets called 'sijeon'. This sijeon obtained government permission to operate and sold goods to the customers. The road is now known as Jongno Street.
There are three main different kinds of villages. One is known as Bukchon, it was for royal families and high level officals lived here mostly known as Affluent Neighborhoods. It is located between Gyeonbokgung to the west. The other one is Jungchon, community of Technical specialist. Residents included merchants along with translator-interpreters, doctors, legal officals, and clerks who worked in the government. Lastly, Namchon, the bedrock of Hanyang society. There were many poor noblemen who were politically excluded in Namchon.
One of prominent and well known inventor in Joseon dynasty was called’ ‘Jang Yeong-sil’. From one of his invention, I want to point out one called, ‘Ja- gyeong nu’. It is water clock and it could tell time every day. Telling time was very important then, back in 1400s.
January 9th,2012
