Geunjeongjeon Main Hall(Gyeongbokgung) Gyeongbokgung is by far
the most famous and beautiful of all the palaces in Seoul and
with a history spanning more than 500 years, it is also one of
South Korea's most popular tourist attractions. Built in 1395 by
the founder of the Joseon Dynasty(1392-1910), King Taejo(r.
1392-1398), it served as the main residence for royalty, up
until it was burnt down in 1592 during the Japanese invasions.
It lay in ruins for 300 hundred years until it was rebuilt in
1868 by Heungseon Daewongun(1820-1898), the regent and father of
King Gojong(r. 1863-1907). During this time Changdeokgung was
used as the main palace. Under the colonial rule of the
Japanese(1910-1945) many of the buildings were destroyed and the
area became the site for the headquarters of the Governor
General of Korea. In recent years much effort has been made to
restore the palace to its former glory, a process which it is
hoped will be completed by the year 2020. At the southern
entrance to the palace grounds is the