Taejo Yi Seong-gye: Founder of the Joseon Dynasty

🌿 Life of Taejo Yi Seong-gye

Taejo Yi Seong-gye (1335–1408) was a military general at the end of the Goryeo dynasty and the founding monarch of Joseon. Born in Hamgyeong Province, he earned distinction subduing Jurchen tribes and defending Korea’s northern borders.

Amid corruption, aristocratic power struggles, and external threats from Ming China and Japanese pirates, Yi Seong-gye emerged as a strong leader with a vision for a new order that would benefit the suffering people.

⚔️ Wihwado Retreat – A Historic Turning Point

In 1388, King U and General Choi Yeong ordered a risky expedition to invade Ming China’s Liaodong region. Yi Seong-gye opposed the plan, warning it would bring ruin.

Stationed at Wihwado Island on the Yalu River, he famously decided to retreat, turning his army back to the capital in a bold coup. This decisive move toppled the Goryeo government and paved the way for sweeping reforms and the establishment of a new dynasty.

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🌸 Legend and Symbolism – Yongbieocheonga

After founding Joseon in 1392, Taejo commissioned “Yongbieocheonga” (Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven), Korea’s first work in Hangul script.

Its famous first line, “A deeply rooted tree does not sway,” symbolized the dynasty’s legitimacy and stability. With this in mind, according to legend, Taejo chose Hanyang (modern Seoul) as the capital, calling it a site of auspicious geomantic energy. Through this decision, he blended Confucian ideals with native beliefs.

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🏯 Founding Joseon – A New Vision

Yi Seong-gye ascended the throne in July 1392, naming the new state Joseon and championing Neo-Confucian ideals:

• Eliminated entrenched aristocratic power
• Established a centralized bureaucracy
• Strengthened the civil service examination
• Promoted Confucian moral governance

These reforms shaped 500 years of Joseon rule, leaving a lasting legacy on Korean culture.

🎎 Festivals and Events

• Jongmyo Jerye (Royal Ancestral Ritual)
  • Held annually on the first Sunday of May at Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul
  • Honors Taejo Yi Seong-gye and successive Joseon kings
  • UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Gyeongbokgung Night Opening
  • Seasonal evening tours of the main royal palace Taejo built in the new capital
• Moreover, when you visit Donggureung, for instance, you can see Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s tomb while also observing the differences among other royal tombs built in different periods.