In this humble house a girl
who would become a empress
was born and lived until she moved into the palace.
Empress Myungsung was born in 1851 to a daughter of Min Chi-lok and was
chosen as young king Kojong's wife at the age of 16 years old. She
was very smart and determined girl, and led a group of officers
who preferred open-door policy in against the king's father, Hungson
Daewongun's stubborn isolationism during the dramatic and critical
period of the 19th century and then regretfully assassinated by
Japanese hitmen in 1895. This house was built in the 13rd year of
King Sukchong (1687), and rebuilt in 1975 and 1976. In 1904, a stone
monument inscribed with the handwriting of her husband king Kojong,
(T'angangguribi) was erected on the alleged study site used by her.
|