Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong in South Korea
South Korea - Daegu - Incheon - Jeju - Seoul - Daejeon
Features of Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong in South Korea
- It is assumed to have been built in the 13th year of King Sukjong in 1687.
- Empress Myeongseong was born in the second year of King Cheoljong's reign in 1851 as daughter to Min Chirok.
- Drawn into the tumultuous period of the enlightenment movement, she lived a dramatic life until the 32nd year of King Gojong's rule when she was assassinated by the Japanese during the wartime.
- There is the Tangangguribi Monument built in 1904 and it is said that the words 'Tangangguribi' was written by Gojong himself.
- The monument stands where Empress Myeongseong's study room once stood.
- The Haengnangchae or the rooms on both sides of the front entrance and Sarangchae or the reception room for male guests which were originally built have now disappeared.
- The existing Anchae or the owner's room was restored in 1975 and 1976.
- Two descendants of the assassins of Empress Myeongseong visited Korea to apologize 110 years after her brutal slaying.
- The two are Tatsumi Kawano, the grandson of Shigeaki Kunitomo, a key figure in the assassination and Keiko Ieiri, the wife of the grandson of Kakitsu Ieiri.
- The descendants arrived in Korea with ten members of a group of mostly ex-teachers and paid homage at the tombs of the murdered queen and her husband King Gojong in Namyangju City.
- They also paid a visit to the empress' birthplace in Yeoju County.
- They also went to the Okho-ru pavilion of the Gyeongbok Palace where the queen was killed in 1895.
- Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong remains open from 9:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs. during summer and 9:00 hrs. to 17:00 hrs. in winter.
- You can visit the nearby tourist attractions of Silleuksa Temple Resort and Moka Buddhist Museum.
