Abstract

This article deals with the process of constructing Changdeok-gung Palace replacing Gyeongbok-gung Palace destroyed by Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592 and establishing the status as the main palace, having ties with political pending issue of changing structure of succession in the late reign of King Injo. Changdeok-gung Palace was destroyed during the process of King Injo''s restoration(仁祖反正). But it was rebuilt by demolishing Ingyeong-gung Palace in the 25th year of King Injo''s reign. The rebuilt buildings adopted a slogan of succeeding to ancient statute(古制). However practically, it was not the form of early period of Joseon dynasty. It was based on the form of Changdeok-gung Palace rebuilt in the middle reign of King Gwanghaegun. Ingyeong-gung Palace was the key point of King Gwanghaegun''s maladministration. In the period of rebuilding Changgyeong-gung Palace, it was totally abandonded after the rebuilding of Changdeok-gung Palace. In spite of building new palace, the reason why rebuilding of Changdeok-gung palace was executed is for confirming the change in the structure of succession after the death of Crown Prince Sohyeon. The change in the structure of succession progressing after the sudden death of Crown Prince Sohyeon went through a course of putting crown princess to death, excluding the grandson-heir apparent(王世孫) from funeral rites, and finally eliminating him by the time funeral rites finished. It was enough for reminding people of King Gwanghaegun''s immoral political management which was blamed as killing of his own half-brother(廢母殺弟). King injo demolished Ingyeong-gung Palace(仁慶宮) in a wholesale way, which was symbol of King Gwanghaegun''s palace construction project and place where Hon’gung(魂宮) of Crown prince Sohyeon existed. On the other hand, he constructed Changdeok-gung Palace and proclaimed the grandson-heir apparent to the throne at Injeongjeon which was the main building of the main palace. It embodied previous instance that King Sejong(世宗) proclaimed the grandson-heir apparent(King Danjong, 端宗) to the throne at Geunjeongjeon hall in Gyeongbok-gung Palace. Changdeok-gung Palace which was constructed during the reign of King Injo became the main palace which guaranteed legitimacy of King Hyeojong''s enthronement as direct line of King Hyeonjong and King Hyojong ascended to the throne after King Injo''s reign. And it was maintained until the reconstruction of Gyeongbok-gung Palace in the reign of King Gojong(高宗).

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