Lee Song-gye, the founder and the first king of the Choson Dynasty, came to power on August 13,1392 (July 17 on lunar calendar) and sought to reorganize the government and move the capital from Kaekyong (the area now known as Kaesong) to a new location.

Kaekyong, originally the capital of the Koryo Dynasty, was believed to have run of its positive influence according to the "Poong Soo Chi Ri" (the oriental belief that specific sites are either lucky or unlucky differing by geographical location) and thus various candidates including Mt. Kye Ryong and Moak (the current Shinchon and Yunheedong area) were considered. The decision to move the capital was made on September 27,1394 (August 24 on lunar calendar) following the recommendation of the Do-Pying-Eui-Sa-Sa (the privy counsel of that time) that "Hanyang" (Seoul's old name) be made as the new capital. "Hanyang" included the area within the city walls and everything within a 4km radius beyond the city walls. In 1395 Kyong-bok Palace, Chongmyo (the Royal Sanctuary) and Sajik (the Ancestral Feast Site) were constructed and a city wall that linked Baekak to the south and Mt.Nak to the east, Mt.Nam to the south, Mt.Inwang to the west was built. Sa Dae Moon (the four main gates), Sa So Moon (the four small gates) were entrances to the downtown.

Nowadays, Seoul not only plays the role as the center of Korea's political, economic, social and culture events, but is also emerging as an international city that will lead the Asia Pacific era.