The History of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Korea: From Joseon’s Main Royal Palace to a Symbol of Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first and main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The term “main royal palace” refers to the primary palace where the king officially resided, held major state ceremonies, and managed national affairs. Today, Gyeongbokgung is widely known as one of Seoul’s most important historical attractions. However, the palace did not always look the way it does now. It was originally built as a symbol of a new dynasty, destroyed during war, left in ruins for nearly 270 years, rebuilt on a grand scale, damaged again during the Japanese colonial period, and gradually restored in modern times. For this reason, Gyeongbokgung is not simply an old palace. It is a place that reflects the rise, destruction, recovery, and transformation of Korean history. 1. The Founding of Joseon and the Birth of Gyeongbokgung Palace The Joseon Dynasty began in 1392 when King Taejo, Yi Seong-gye, established a new kingdom. The new dynasty decided to move away from Gaegyeong, the capital ...