Hanseong (Hanyang, capital of Joseon)

Timeline

1. 1451–1453Hanyang, Gyeongbokgung Palace · HanyangIn 1452, Joseon's Munjong died and the 12-year-old Danjong Yi Hong-wui ascended the throne, assisted by regent ministers. The young ruler's accession created a power vacuum in Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanseong, and royal clan forces represented by Grand Prince Suyang (Yi Yu) began plotting to expand their influence. During this period the court in Hanseong still operated normally, important texts such as the History of Goryeo had been completed under Munjong's reign, and the Confucian ritual system continued to be refined.
2. 1453–1455Hanyang · Korean PeninsulaIn October 1453 (the Gyeyu year), Grand Prince Suyang Yi Yu launched a palace coup (Gyeyu Jingnan), executing regent ministers including Kim Jong-seo, seizing control of the palace garrison in Hanseong, and gaining actual governing power. In 1455 Danjong was forced to abdicate and Grand Prince Suyang ascended as Sejo. This coup profoundly destabilized Hanseong's political landscape and led to the subsequent Six Loyal Ministers incident, becoming one of the most famous palace power struggles in Joseon history.
3. 1455–1460Hanyang · Korean PeninsulaAfter Sejo Yi Yu took the throne he vigorously centralized power, cut some functions of the State Council, and implemented a system of direct reporting from the Six Ministries to strengthen royal control over Hanseong's bureaucracy. He oversaw compilation of the Gyeongguk Daejeon, systematically organizing Joseon's legal code, and advanced military reform in Hanseong, reorganizing the central garrisons. After the 1456 Six Loyal Ministers incident, Hanseong's court completed a political purge and Sejo's authoritarian rule was fully established in the capital.