Geunjeongmun, Gate in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Geunjeongmun is the southern gate leading to the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, in Seoul's Jongno District. It is a two-story structure with three bays across the front and two on the sides, topped by a roof with a trapezoidal outline when seen from the front.
The gate was built in 1395, at the same time as Gyeongbokgung Palace, shortly after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. It burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and was rebuilt in 1876 when the palace was restored.
The gate has three passageways: the central one was reserved for the king, while the side ones were used by courtiers and guards. This arrangement still tells visitors a great deal about how the Joseon royal court organized access and rank.
The gate is a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Station on subway Line 3, making it easy to reach from most parts of Seoul. Arriving early in the day gives a calmer experience, as the palace complex tends to get busy later on.
Geunjeongmun is the only surviving two-story main gate among the Joseon-era palace gates. Its roof uses the dapo bracket system, a layered arrangement of wooden supports, which is visible as you walk through the side corridors surrounding the structure.
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