What is the name of the main royal palace in Seoul, South Korea?

The main royal palace traditionally associated with Seoul is Gyeongbokgung Palace. Founded in 1395 by the Joseon dynasty, it was the first and largest of Seoul’s major royal palaces and served as the dynasty’s official palace.

The palace flourished during the reign of Sejong the Great, who supported the development of Hangul and other scientific institutions there. Gyeongbokgung was burned during the Imjin War in 1592 and remained largely abandoned until a major reconstruction under King Gojong in the late 19th century.

Japanese colonial rule brought extensive demolition and alteration in the early 20th century. Restoration efforts began in earnest in the 1980s and continue today. Seoul also has Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghui Palace, but Gyeongbokgung is the palace most commonly identified as the principal royal palace and the city’s signature Joseon landmark.