The Diplomatic Space of the Korean Empire Opens for the First Time in 100 Years

Deoksugung Dondeokjeon Opens Today... Focus on Reconstruction over Restoration
"A Space Dreaming of Independence and Diplomacy with Earnest Heart"

Dondeokjeon in Deoksugung Palace, which served as the diplomatic space of the Korean Empire, will reopen on the 26th after more than 100 years. It is a two-story Western-style building constructed between 1902 and 1903 behind Seokjojeon Hall in Deoksugung to be used as a venue for commemorative events celebrating Emperor Gojong's (reigned 1863?1907) 40th anniversary of accession. It was utilized as a space for diplomatic exchanges and a guesthouse, aiming to showcase the modern nation's stature and determination to protect sovereignty to the world.

According to various records, the exterior followed architectural styles popular in Paris, France. The interior reception room was lavishly decorated with golden curtains and wallpaper symbolizing the emperor. However, it is said that by the 1920s, it was hardly used and was demolished by the Japanese colonial government. In its place, a children's amusement park was established in 1933.

The Cultural Heritage Administration has been promoting restoration and maintenance projects since 2015 to restore the historical significance of Deoksugung. Starting with an excavation survey in 2017, Dondeokjeon was completed in about six years, focusing more on reconstruction than restoration. While preserving its historical significance as the center of Korean Empire diplomacy, the interior space was arranged as exhibition rooms, a library, and cultural and artistic event spaces to increase its usability.

On the first floor, immersive videos depicting Emperor Gojong's 40th anniversary events are played. The second floor features exhibitions that help visitors understand the flow of modern Korean diplomacy. It introduces the process of establishing diplomatic relations with various countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark after signing an international treaty with Japan in 1876, highlighting key events. Through digital frames, it also introduces scenes of Seoul during the Korean Empire era and figures who lived through this turbulent period, including Park Jeongyang (1841?1905), the first plenipotentiary minister to the United States, and Lee Han-eung (1874?1905), the last Korean Empire diplomat stationed in the United Kingdom.

Curator Park Sang-gyu said, "Dondeokjeon was the center of international exchange during the Korean Empire period and a space where the earnest desire for independence and diplomacy was dreamed of. I hope visitors reflect on the modern diplomacy carried out by the Korean Empire 100 years ago and consider its meaning and value."

The Cultural Heritage Administration decorated the floor with tiles reproduced from those excavated during the restoration process and arranged furniture and lighting inspired by Western salons to clearly emphasize the historical space. Artifacts that offer a glimpse into history from 100 years ago are also exhibited. 'Hwachea Bunbyeoldo (Fire Carriage Identification Map),' painted by Kang Jin-hee (1851?1919), a staff member of the first U.S. legation and a painter, is the first work by a Korean artist depicting American landscapes. The treasure 'Seoul Jingwansa Taegeukgi' (Seoul Jingwansa Temple Taegeukgi) shows the Korean independence spirit and patriotism, with the blue part of the Taegeuk and the four trigrams painted over the Japanese flag in black ink. It will be displayed only on the first day of public viewing on the 26th and replaced with a replica thereafter.

Kwon Jeom-su, head of the Deoksugung Management Office, stated, "We hope Dondeokjeon will be activated as a platform for cultural exchange and public diplomacy in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.