Foreigners under the age of 18 will be exempt from admission fees when visiting major palaces such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace starting next month.
The cultural heritage administration royal palaces and tombs center announced today that it will revise the “Regulations on Palace and Fortress Visits” to include foreign teenagers under the age of 18 as eligible for free admission.
Korean nationals can visit for free until the age of 24, and from age 25 to 64, admission fees apply.
The Cultural Heritage Administration Royal Palaces and Tombs Center official explained that the revision was made in consideration of changes in social structures such as the increase in long-term stays of foreign nationals due to international marriages and the influx of foreign workers, as well as the UN Convention on the rights of children.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace). Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).
Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and the pond around Hyangwonjeong Pavilion have remained relatively intact. The raised dias and stone markers of Geunjeongjeon showcase the representative art style of their time.
The National Palace Museum of Korea is located outside of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavillion.
Deoksugung Palace
Registered as Historic Site No. 124, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but a residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn’t until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.
Source: CULTURAL HERITAGE ADMINISTRATION
View original content to download multimedia: https://www.cha.go.kr/newsBbz/selectNewsBbzView.do?newsItemId=155703990§ionId=b_sec_1&pageIndex=1&pageUnit=10&strWhere=&strValue=&sdate=&edate=&category=&mn=NS_01_02
