Royal palace sites tied to Queen Myeongseong’s assassination to open to public

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) shows Jangandang Hall at Geoncheonggung in Gyeongbok Palace. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- Two rarely accessible sites at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul will open to visitors for a limited period this month, the Korea Heritage Service said Wednesday.

From Oct. 15 to 31, the agency will operate a special program, "Light and Shadow of Joseon: A Special Walk through Geoncheonggung and Hyangwonjeong," every Wednesday to Friday.

Geoncheonggung, located in the deepest part of the palace, was built in 1873 after the reconstruction of Gyeongbok Palace. It served as the living quarters of King Gojong (r. 1863–1907) and Queen Myeongseong, with Jangandang for the king and Gonnyonghap for the queen.

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) shows Geoncheonggung at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The site holds tragic historical significance as the place where Queen Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese troops in October 1895. It is also remembered as the location where Korea’s first electric lights were turned on in 1887.

Following the assassination, King Gojong relocated to the Russian legation, and Geoncheonggung was demolished around 1909 during the Japanese colonial period. The complex was later reconstructed in 2007.

Nearby, Hyangwonjeong, a hexagonal pavilion built on a small island in a pond, is designated as a Treasure. Constructed during the late Joseon Dynasty, it was used as a royal retreat and is noted for its scenic beauty, architectural design and historical value.

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) shows Hyangwonjeong Pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Although the interiors of both sites are normally closed to the public, participants in the special tour will be guided through the buildings by heritage experts and learn about the royal culture and history associated with the spaces.

Reservations can be made via Nol Ticket (https://nol.interpark.com) starting from 2 p.m. Thurssday. Each session is limited to 20 participants, and bookings must be made by the day before the desired visit. The program is a paid event.

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) shows Hyangwonjeong Pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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