Gwangmyeongmun Gate, which served as the entrance to Hamnyeongjeon Hall, the official residence of Emperor Gojong (r.1897~1907), was built just after the proclamation of the Korean Empire in 1897. However, Deoksugung Palace was seriously damaged in the colonial period (1910~1945), resulting in the demolition of the corridors flanking Gwangmyeongmun Gate and, eventually, relocation of the gate itself. The gate was returned to its original location in December 2018 as part of the plan to restore Deoksugung Palace.