Monument for the 40th Anniversary of King Gojong's Enthronement, Historic monument in Jongno District, South Korea.
The Monument for the 40th Anniversary of King Gojong's Enthronement is a building with three rooms housing a central stele. This stele rests on a tortoise-shaped base and is topped with an ornamental roof.
The monument was erected in 1902 and marks a pivotal moment in Korean history. Its construction coincides with the transformation of the Korean state and the adoption of a new national name.
The stele's front inscription, carved in the calligraphy of Crown Prince Sunjong, reads "Great Korean Empire, Great Emperor, age 51, 40 years on the throne, congratulatory memorial." A plaque on the protective pavilion gives it the elevated name "Memorial Stele Hall." South of the building stands an arch-shaped gate inscribed "Manse Gate" on stone pillars.
The site is located near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul and is easy to reach. Visitors can view the structure and stonework directly without needing to navigate through complicated routes.
The stele's front inscription was written by Crown Prince Sunjong, later the last emperor of Korea. The text records Gojong's 40 years on the throne, his entry into the Giroso office for elders at 51, and the 1897 adoption of the name Korean Empire. The pavilion's plaque reads "Memorial Stele Hall".
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