Gyeongbokgung

Palace of Shining Happiness
Originally built by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, the grandest of Seoul palaces served as the principle palace until 1953, when it was burnt down during the Japanese invasions. It lay in ruins for nearly 300 years until Heungseon Daewongun, regent and father of King Gojong, started to rebuild it in 1865, but the expensive rebuilding project nearly bankrupted the government.
On October 8th 1895, Queen Myeongseong (also known as Queen Min) was killed in her bedroom by Japanese assassins who then burnt her body. It is said only one finger survived the fire. Four months later King Gojong fled from the palace to the nearby Russian legation building and never returned.

During Japanese colonial rule, most of the palace was destroyed. The Japanese governor general's ugly office block was built inside the walls, but was demolished in 1996, and work on restoring the palace to its former glory is likely to continue for decades. Yet, the government claims that the full restoration of Gwanghwamun is under way and will be completed in 2009.

Marker stones of past kings.

The main palace building where the kings were crowned, met foreign envoys and conducted affairs of state.

A national treasure, Gyeonghoeru is an open two story pavilion which stands by a large square pond to the west of the throne hall. The elevated pavilion was used for royal banquets and appears to be floating on the pond. The upper floor affords a sweeping view of the palaces to the east and Mt. Inwangsan to the west.

My obsession with doors and gates started again.

So, I think they're lovely. Enjoy it or deal with it! :)

Geoncheonggund Palace was built to the north of the beautiful pond of Hyangwonjeong as a separate palace for King Gojong and his consort. This is a palace within a palace. Architecturally, it includes elements of both a house of a literati and a royal palace. It is here that Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by the Japanese in 1895.