Reading Books in Emperor Gojong's Office... Gyeongbokgung Jibokjae to Open Next Month

Exhibition of Over 1,700 Joseon History and Culture Materials

Jibokjae, the study and office used by King Gojong in Gyeongbokgung Palace, is opening to visitors. The Cultural Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tombs Division announced on the 29th that from next month 3rd to October 31st, Jibokjae and the interior of Palwoojeong, an octagonal pavilion, will be arranged like a library and opened to the public.

Located on the north side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jibokjae is a building named with the meaning "gathering precious treasures like jade." King Gojong used it as his study and office. He occasionally invited foreign envoys there. The Annals of King Gojong from 1893 include records of him meeting with various countries' ministers (公使, diplomatic envoys representing their nations) at Jibokjae.

The Gyeongbokgung Management Office renovated the interior in 2016 and has been open to the public under the name "small library." It displays about 1,700 books related to Joseon Dynasty history, culture, and the royal family. Visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace can freely browse the collection.

The opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed every Tuesday when Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed, during the midsummer months of July and August, and during the Chuseok holiday period.

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