NHA - Gyeongbokgung Palace Vol.2: Sajeongjeon Hall

Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁

Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in the Joseon Dynasty, was built after King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. He had the capital moved to Hanyang during the fourth year of his reign (1395). Its name, literally meaning “great fortune,” originated with a phrase of Sigyeong (Book of Songs), quoted by Jeong Do-jeon, an eminent scholar in the Joseon Dynasty: "I've already drunk and have been full with virtue, so I will help you get great fortune in my late year as a man of virtue.”

Sajeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 사정전

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built according to the traditional architectural principles for the construction of royal palaces in ancient times. It is in the central court, that’s to say, the Ruler’s Court, that the throne hall, Geunjeongjeon, is located along with other important government halls such as the Sajeongjeon, Manchunjeon, and Cheonchujeon. Of these, the Sajeongjeon, standing behind the throne hall with Sajeongmun Gate between them, and flanked by Manchunjeon in the east and Cheonchujeon in the west, was used as the king’s office and residence during normal times. Sajeongjeon Hall was one of the three office buildings used by Joseon’s rulers in ordinary times. Experts believe that while the Joseon kings favored Sajeongjeon more, they preferred using Manchunjeon or Cheonchujeon during the winter season because, unlike Sajeongjeon, these two buildings had an effective traditional heating system.