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Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of Korea's [[Joseon Dynasty]] up until its destruction in [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s. Completed in [[1395]], its name means roughly "the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of Korea's [[Joseon Dynasty]] up until its destruction in [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s. Completed in [[1395]], its name means roughly "the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."
Abandoned for some 270 years, the palace was rebuilt and brought back into use by the royal family in the 1860s. It was then taken over by Japanese colonial authorities in the early 20th century.
==History==
==History==
The palace was constructed in conjunction with the relocation of the royal capital from [[Gaeseong]] to Hanyang ([[Seoul]]) in [[1394]]; an Office of Palace Construction was established that year, and the palace itself was formally established the following year. The main gate of the palace was known as Gwanghwamun, and led to Yukjo-geori, or "Six Ministries Street," today known as Sejongno.
The palace was constructed in conjunction with the relocation of the royal capital from [[Gaeseong]] to Hanyang ([[Seoul]]) in [[1394]]; an Office of Palace Construction was established that year, and the palace itself was formally established the following year. The main gate of the palace was originally known simply as Jeongmun ("main gate") or Sajeongmun ("West Gate of Governance"), and was later renamed Gwanghwamun ("Gate of Great Illumination"),<ref>Gallery labels, The Story of King Sejong[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/35555284350/in/dateposted-public/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/35555288410/in/photostream/].</ref> and led to Yukjo-geori, or "Six Ministries Street," today known as Sejongno.
Though originally completed in 1395 under [[King Taejo]], the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, the palace saw numerous renovations and expansions over the centuries. The Jaseondang Hall was built within the Crown Prince's Compound in [[1427]], and two more structures, the Sajeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, were built two years later. The Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt in [[1431]], and in [[1434]], a structure called the Borugak Hall was built, and installed with a water clock. A formal Royal Gate Guards group known as Sumunjang was established in [[1469]], along with a formal changing-of-the-guards ceremony; prior to this, a group called ''hogun'' (security army), part of the Five Commands (''owi''), oversaw the guarding of the palace.
Though originally completed in 1395 under [[King Taejo]], the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, the palace saw numerous renovations and expansions over the centuries. The Jaseondang Hall was built within the Crown Prince's Compound in [[1427]], and two more structures, the Sajeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, were built two years later. The Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt in [[1431]], and in [[1434]], a structure called the Borugak Hall was built, and installed with a water clock. A formal Royal Gate Guards group known as Sumunjang was established in [[1469]], along with a formal changing-of-the-guards ceremony; prior to this, a group called ''hogun'' (security army), part of the Five Commands (''owi''), oversaw the guarding of the palace.
On [[1895]]/10/8, a group of Japanese made their way into Gonnyeonghap, a building within the palace compound, and murdered [[Empress Myeongseong]] and many of her ladies-in-waiting and handmaids; reportedly, they could not be sure whether the empress was disguised as a handmaid, and so killed them all to be sure.<ref>"Remembering Empress Myeongseong" exhibition, gallery labels & video, Gonnyeonghap, Gyeongbokgung Palace, June 2017.</ref>
On [[1895]]/10/8, a group of Japanese made their way into Gonnyeonghap, a building within the palace compound, and murdered [[Empress Myeongseong]] and many of her ladies-in-waiting and handmaids; reportedly, they could not be sure whether the empress was disguised as a handmaid, and so killed them all to be sure.<ref>"Remembering Empress Myeongseong" exhibition, gallery labels & video, Gonnyeonghap, Gyeongbokgung Palace, June 2017.</ref>
Gyeongbokgung became home to the chief residence of the Japanese [[Governor-General of Korea]] during the [[Colonial Korea|Japanese colonial occupation of Korea]], and was used for a number of colonial events, such as a 1915 Joseon Production Promotion Expo, held in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Japanese control.
Gyeongbokgung became home to the chief residence of the Japanese [[Governor-General of Korea]] during the [[Colonial Korea|Japanese colonial occupation of Korea]], and was used for a number of colonial events, such as a 1915 Joseon Production Promotion Expo, held in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Japanese control, and the 1929 Chôsen Exhibition, a colonial counterpart to the [[Bunten]] (Ministry of Education Exhibitions) being held in [[Tokyo]].
In conjunction with the construction of the Governor-General's headquarters in 1927, the Gwanghwamun Gate was moved to the eastern side of the compound, and various other changes were made.
In conjunction with the construction of the Governor-General's headquarters in 1927, the Gwanghwamun Gate was moved to the eastern side of the compound, and various other changes were made.
