Unhyeongung

Unhyeongung is a small, little-visited palace complex in Seoul.

Unhyeongung was the former residence of the prince regent, Heungseon Daewongun of the Joseon Dynasty. Daewongun was the father of Emperor Gonjong. Gojong himself also lived at this residence until age 12 when he assumed the throne. However, the complex never housed a king while they were seated on the thorn. 

Many of the early buildings were either damaged or destroyed during the 16th-century Japanese invasion of Korea, but some of the early structures remain. 

The residential complex was taken from Heungseon Daewongun’s descendants during World War II and Japanese occupation, it was returned to their authority in 1948.

After passing into the hands of the Seoul government in 1993, the palace underwent restoration. The current complex is smaller than its previous layout because the Duksung Women’s University now occupies part of the complex grounds.

Unhyeongung was the site for the last royal wedding ceremony in 1866. A re-enactment of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong’s wedding takes place here during the spring and fall of every year.