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Gyeongbokgung Palace and Its History
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty that was established in 1395 (the 4th year of King Taejo's reign) after the foundation of the dynasty in 1392.
Mountain (also known as Bugaksan Mountain) at the backdrop, and a wide Yukjo Street unfolds before Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace. The name "Gyeongbok" means that "the new dynasty shall have good fortunes and prosper." Gyeongbokgung Palace was the very place where Hunminjeongeum (a script for writing the Korean language) was created and distributed.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo). It was left in ruins for many years, only to be restored in 1867 (the 4th year of King Gojong), 270 years after the war’s end. During the restoration by King Gojong, the palace was added with new buildings such as Geoncheonggung Palace, Taewonjeon Hall, and Jibokjae. In particular, Okhoru Pavilion at Geoncheonggung Palace is where the tragic incident of the Assassination of Empress Myeongseong (1895) took place.
The shameful Korea–Japan Treaty of 1910 marked the beginning of the systematic destruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Most buildings were destroyed for the sake of hosting the Joseon Industrial Exhibition in 1915. In 1926, the entire palace was put in the shadow of the building of the Governor-General of Joseon. The palace restoration project began in the 1990s, and the Governor-General of Joseon building was demolished in 1996. The areas around Heungnyemun Gate, the royal living quarters, Geoncheonggung Palace, Taewonjeon Hall, and Gwanghwamun Gate were restored and stand to this day.
History
Classification Detail
1395 (the 4th year of King Taejo)
Established Gyeongbokgung Palace
1426 (the 8th year of King Sejong)
Built Gwanghwamun, Geonchunmun, and Yeongchumun Gates
1446 (the 28th year of King Sejong)
Distributed Hunminjeongeum
1475 (the 28th year of King Seongjong)
Named the north gate Sinmumun Gate
1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo)
Gyeongbokgung Palace destroyed due to the Japanese invasion
1865 (the 2nd year of King Gojong)
Commenced the restoration project
1867 (the 4th year of King Gojong)
Completed the restoration project
1873 (the 10th year of King Gojong)
Built Geoncheonggung Palace
1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong)
Assassination of Empress Myeongseong occurred at Okhoru Pavilion at Geoncheonggung Palace
1896 (the 33rd year of King Gojong)
King Gojong's internal exile to the Russian legation
1915
Demolished the buildings to host the Joseon Industrial Exhibition
1926
Built the Japanese Government- General Building
1990 onward
Commenced the restoration project
1994 onward
Restored the areas around Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Gyotaejeon Hall
1996
Demolished the Japanese Government- General Building (ended in 1997)
2001~2021
Restored the areas around Heungnyemun Gate, Gwanghwamun Gate, Heungbokjeon Hall, Chwihyanggyo Bridge and repaired Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
2023
Restored the Gyejodang Hall of Donggung Palace