Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong

This is the house where Empress Myeongseong, queen of King Gojong of Joseon, was born in 1851 and lived until she was eight; she was assassinated by Japanese agents in 1895. The inner quarters built in 1687 still stand, and the restored outer quarters, the Empress Myeongseong Memorial Hall and Gamgodang are all gathered on one site. Entry is free, which makes it an easy stop on a trip along the Namhangang River in Yeoju.

A queen born in a tomb-keeper's house

The house began in 1687, the 13th year of King Sukjong's reign, as a lodge for looking after the tomb of Min Yu-jung, Sukjong's father-in-law and the father of Queen Inhyeon. Generations of the Min family lived here, and in 1851 Min Chi-rok's daughter, the future Empress Myeongseong, was born in the house. She lived here until the age of eight, became Gojong's queen at 16, and went on to play a major role in his reform and opening policies. In 1895 she was murdered by Japanese agents at Gyeongbokgung Palace in what Koreans call the Eulmi Incident.

What survives and what was rebuilt

Of the original buildings, only the anchae (inner quarters) survives. It was repaired in the 1970s, and in 1995–1996 the servants' quarters, the men's quarters and a separate annex were rebuilt to restore the old layout. The house was designated a Gyeonggi Province tangible cultural heritage site in 1973. Where the room in which the young Myeongseong studied once stood, a stone now reads "Myeongseong Hwanghu Tangang Guri", "the old village where Empress Myeongseong was born".

What to see on the site

• The birthplace: a good example of a mid-Joseon aristocratic home. You can walk through the main hall of the inner quarters, the kitchen and the storehouse.
• Empress Myeongseong Memorial Hall: opposite the house, with about 520 m² of exhibition space showing court objects and documents related to the empress, and a portrait of King Gojong.
• Gamgodang: a hanok that carries on the name of Gamgodang, a house closely linked with two queens, Inhyeon and Myeongseong. The original Gamgodang stood in Angguk-dong in Seoul, on a site now occupied by Duksung Girls' High School.
• Memorial stone to the martyred empress: it stood at Geoncheonggung in Gyeongbokgung and was moved here in 2007, the 112th anniversary of her death.
• Tomb of Min Yu-jung: on a wooded slope within the site lie the tomb and memorial stele of the man the house was originally built to serve.

Events and smaller details

• Memorial rite for the empress: the Yeoju Sejong Culture and Tourism Foundation holds a memorial ceremony for Empress Myeongseong every year. The Eulmi Incident took place on 8 October 1895, and the schedule is announced around the autumn.
• Munye-gwan: a 161-seat performance hall opened in 2002, used for performances and educational events.
• Hamabi: a stone telling everyone, whatever their rank, to dismount and walk in, a small sign of the standing of a family that produced queens. Keep an eye out for it as you walk around the site.
• Gardens and pond: a pond and walking paths surround the memorial hall, and they draw the most visitors in spring blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: March–October 09:00–18:00, November–February 09:00–17:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed Mondays, 1 January, and on Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok days.
• Fees: entry is free. Parking costs KRW 1,000 for cars, KRW 500 for compact cars and KRW 2,000 for large vehicles.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for the house, the memorial hall and Gamgodang.
• Getting there: the site is about 3.5 km south-east of Yeoju Station on the Gyeonggang Line, so a taxi is the easiest option. The Yeoju city tour loop bus also runs in the area.
• Combine with: Silleuksa Temple on the Namhangang River and the royal tomb of King Sejong (Yeongneung) make a full day in Yeoju.
• Information: site office, +82-31-881-9730