A Throne Room You Can Finally Walk Into

Summary

Jeukjodang at Deoksugung — the actual hall where two Joseon kings got crowned — has been off-limits forever, one of those spaces you could only peek at from outside. Now they've recreated all the original furnishings and you can actually walk in and see what the emperor's office looked like. It's open through June 21.

Why do we peek

Korean palaces usually keep the really historic rooms roped off — you can look through doorways but never step inside. So when they actually let you walk into a space where two kings literally sat on the throne, it's kind of a big deal. There's this whole thing in Korea about experiencing the weight of history in the actual space where it happened, not just reading about it.

Main Story

Jeukjodang at Deoksugung Palace just opened to the public for the first time — this is the actual hall where Gwanghaegun and King Injo were crowned back in the Joseon era. They've recreated all the original furnishings down to the throne and desk setup, so you can walk into what was basically the emperor's office. It's open through June 21.

Backstory

Deoksugung is in central Seoul, super easy to get to (City Hall Station). The Jeukjodang opening is a limited-time thing so you'll want to go before June 21 if you're around. Regular palace admission applies — it's cheap, usually around 1,000 won, and the whole palace is worth walking through anyway.

FAQ