Gwangju

Gwangju in Gyeonggi guarded the southeastern approaches to the Joseon capital. Its most important stronghold was Namhansanseong, a mountain fortress designed to serve as an emergency capital. Buddhist monk-soldiers helped build and defend the fortified settlement, which could accommodate about 4,000 people and contained administrative, military and religious buildings.

Reconstruction began in 1624 under Yi Seo. The upper and lower buildings of the temporary palace were completed in 1625, and work on the fortress was finished in 1626. The Qing invasion followed in 1636. Responsibility for the defenses remained closely tied to local government: in 1652 the Gwangju chief magistrate also became deputy royal defense commander. Later officials added outer fortifications and buildings, including Hanbong's outer wall in 1686. The district's history thus left a visible concentration of royal refuge, county administration and military construction in the hills near Seoul.