Geunjeongmun Gate — Gyeongbokgung Palace

Look at the steps in front of Geunjeongmun. They are not steps. They are slanted stone plates that look uncomfortable to walk on. On a rainy or snowy day, it must have been even more difficult.

The king passed over this dapdo (royal path) in his palanquin. Carved on the dapdo is a pair of phoenixes. The phoenix is an imaginary bird said to appear only in times of peace. Every time Joseon's kings passed over this dapdo, they would have asked themselves in their hearts — 'has peace settled in this land I rule, enough for a phoenix to appear?'

'Geunjeong' means 'diligently engaging in politics.' The name was given by Jeong Do-jeon. The signboard was written by Shin Seok-hee (1808-1873) when Gyeongbokgung was reconstructed.

Standing in front of Geunjeongmun today, look up at the phoenix carved on the dapdo. A path not for walking feet but for a king in his palanquin. The phoenix carved on that path still waits for a time of peace.

Passing Geunjeongmun, finally Geunjeongjeon — the center of Joseon.

🎧 Audio Guide

Geunjeongmun Gate

Photo Gallery

Geunjeong means to ‘diligently engage in politics.’ The name Geunjeong was given by Jeong Do-Jeon, who borrowed it from the expression, “you must diligently manage the affairs of the state to achieve peaceful times” from various scriptures. The signboard was written by Shin Seok-Hee (1808-1873) when Gyeongbokgung was reconstructed.

Wolhwamun is a small gate to the west of Geunjeongmun. First built in 1395 (the 4th year of Taejo), this gate was burnt down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and rebuilt in 1867 after the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung. Whenever there was a morning assembly in the royal audience hall, the military officials entered through Wolhwamun. ‘Wolhwa’ means the purification of the moon. Because the moon has the character of yin in the theory of yin and yang, it was chosen as the name of the west gate.

Ilhwamun is a small gate to the east of Geunjeongmun. First built in 1395 (the 4th year of Taejo), this gate was burnt down during the 1592 Japanese invasion and rebuilt in 1867 after the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung. Forming a pair with Wolhwamun, Ilhwamun was used by civil servants. ‘Ilhwa’ means the purification of the sun. The sun has the character of yang in the theory of yin and yang, so it was chosen as the name of the east gate.

The haenggak(Corridor) of Geunjeongjeon surrounds the Geunjeongjeon to the east, west, south, and north. It forms a perfect symmetry around Geunjeongjeon and Geunjeongmun. Yungmunnu and Yungmuru are projected to the outside at the 17th and 18th kans from the south on the Donghaenggak and Seohaenggak. Furthermore, at the left and right of Namhaenggak and Geunjeongmun are Ilhwamun and Wolhwamun, respectively, to allow people to enter and exit without passing through the Geunjeongmun.