Geoncheonggung Palace

About this place

Geoncheonggung (乾淸宮), meaning 'Heaven is clear,' was built in 1873 (the 10th year of King Gojong's reign) as a private residential palace within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung — a palace within a palace. Located at the northernmost point of Gyeongbokgung, its buildings were modeled on the style of aristocratic private homes while incorporating ornate and refined decorations. The complex includes Jangandang (長安堂, 'a place of lasting peace') as the king's living quarters, and Gonnyeonghap (坤寧閤, 'earthly peace') as the queen's quarters, the two connected by a corridor. Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min) lived here for about ten years. However, in 1895 (the 32nd year of Gojong's reign), the tragic Eulmi Incident (乙未事變) occurred when Empress Myeongseong was assassinated in the Okhorru (玉壺樓) chamber of Gonnyeonghap, and Gojong subsequently fled to the Russian Legation the following year. The palace was demolished in 1909 (the 3rd year of Yunghui), and during the Japanese colonial period an art museum was built on the site before it too was demolished. The palace was restored to its present form in 2007.