Deoksugung Palace, Seoul, Korea 4K Walking in Seoul 2021 덕수궁 - King Seongjong

00:00 Daehanmun Gate & Geumcheongyo Bridge
01:00 Junghwamun Gate
04:53 Jeonggwanheon Pavilion
06:20 Indoor walls of Deoksu Palace.
10:00 Junghwajeon Hall
14:00 National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung
16:00 Seokjojeon Hall
18:25 Junmyeongdang Hall & Jeukjodang Hall

Deoksugung Palace 덕수궁 was the location where Prince Wolsan, older brother of King Seongjong, lived. At the time, the residence was not known as a palace yet. The area consisted of residential buildings for descendants of the royal family.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1592, the residential buildings became a temporary royal residence after all the other palaces were destroyed by fires.
In 1608, King Gwanghaegun was crowned king here. In 1611, the temporary residence was renamed Gyeongungung, thus making it a true royal palace. In 1618, Changdeokgung became the main palace after being rebuilt.

Gyeongungung, renamed Seogung (West Palace), became an auxiliary royal residence for for the next 270 years and played no important role until the end of the 19th century.
In 1897, Emperor Gojong established the Great Han Empire and moved here, which he renamed back to Gyeongungung and became the central palace of the empire. Gojong was determined to modernize the country as seen in some of the western style buildings.

In 1907, after his reign was over, Gojong continued to live here. His successor, Emperor Sunjong, renamed it Deoksugung in honor of Gojong. The name was meant to wish Gojong a long and prosperous life. Gojong lived here until here until his death in 1919 at Hamnyeongjeon Hall.

Many of the structures here have since been removed or sold. In 1933, all buildings except for a few central and western style buildings were removed. It was then made a park and opened to the public.

Since 2007, restoration work to restore Deoksugung Palace to its original specifications. This work has been ongoing.

***What to see at Deoksugung Palace:
Daehanmun Gate:
Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace. Located in the east, it became the main entrance of the palace after the completion of Hwangudan Altar (Wongudan Altar). The original main gate was Inhwamun. In 1970, it was moved to the west because of the nearby expansion of Taepyeong-no Street.

Geumcheongyo Bridge:
Geumcheongyo Bridge is located just past Daehanmun Gate on the grounds of Deoksugung. The bridge was built in 1411 and is the oldest surviving in Seoul. The bridge was excavated and restored in 1986.
Those who enter through the main gate cross over a stream, a common sight at other palaces in Seoul. Crossing the stream symbolizes purifying oneself before entering.

Junghwamun Gate:
Junghwamun Gate is the inner gate of Deoksugung and the main gate of Junghwajeon Hall. The gate, along with Junghwajeon, were rebuilt in 1906 after being destroyed by a fire making it one of the last structures built during the Joseon Dynasty.
A courtyard just past the gate was the location of state ceremonies. Stones indicate and mark where officials would stand based by rank. Those standing closest to the king were officials of high ranking.

Jeonggwanheon Pavilion
Located on the hill of the rear garden is Jeonggwanheon Pavilion. The pavilion was used for banquets for foreign visitors when they visited the palace. The building was constructed around 1900 by A.I. Sabatin, a Russian architect. He was influenced both by Korean and Western designs.

Junmyeongdang Hall:
Junmyeongdang Hall was where King Gojong handled palace and state affairs during his reign. He also welcomed honored guests and foreign officials here. The original structure, along with Jeukjodang, was destroyed by fire in 1904. The hall was rebuilt later that same year.
In 1917, Emperor Gwangmu established the Deoksu Palace Kindergarten here for his daughter Princess Deokhye. Young girls from noble families attended the kindergarten at the palace.


Jeukjodang Hall:
Jeukjodang Hall is where King Gwanghaegun (1608) and King Injo (1623) were crowned as kings. Its name means “house where kings ascended their throne.” Gwanghaegun reigned from 1608 to 1623 while Injo reigned from 1623 to 1649. The original structure, along with Junmyeongdang, was destroyed by fire in 1904. They were both rebuilt later that same year.
The sign in front of the hall was written in 1905 by King Gojong just after he ascended to the throne. Gojong was the twenty sixth Joseon Dynasty King and ruled from 1863 to 1907.

Seogeodang Hall:
Seogeodang Hall is an ordinary and plain two story wooden house where King Seonjo lived and died. He was the 14th Joseon king and ruled from 1567 to 1608. The design is ordinary without decorations or paint, which is similar to houses at the time.
The hall features a two tiered roof, the only one at the Deoksugung Palace. The building resembles a typical private residence during the Joseon Dynasty.

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