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In the Joseon Dynasty, the five palaces, 창경, 창덕, 경희, 경복, and 경윤 palaces were built in Hanyang, the capital city of Jeseon. Among these palaces 창경 palace had the most sad history, where Lady Jang and Prince Sado were killed. Moreover, during the Japanese ruling 창경 palace was changed into a zoo once.
Lady Jang was the second wife of king Young Jo. She hated the first wife of Young Jo, 인연왕후, which was why Lady Jang decided to curse 인연왕후. When this curse was revealed, Lady Jang was killed.
Another person, Prince Sado was killed in this palace because he was closer to 노론 than 소론. While Young Jo was ruling Joseon, the government officials were divided into two groups which were 노론 and 소론. Since 소론 were afraid that they might have to go back to their lives when Prince Sado became the king. So they misinformed the king by telling him that his son was mad. The king, not considering the details, was just ashamed at the fact that his son was mad, so he killed his son. This was a mistake. Just because the king was ashamed of his son, he shouldn't have killed him.
창경 palace's main gate is called 홍화문, the most beautiful main gate among the other palaces' main gates. The main building is 명정전, and in front of it, there are ranking stones where the government officials stood next to. In 명정전, the king sat and listened to the officers' opinions. I was amazed at how the people could build these beautiful buildings, such as 명정전, despite their low technology. |
