[KS] Kyongbok Palace: History, Controversy, Geomancy

[Henny Savenije]

http://128.220.50.88/journals/manoa/v011/11.2kang.html

Kyongbok Palace: History, Controversy, Geomancy
Min Soo Kang


We live amidst so many rumors. The stratum of rumor is thick and heavy. We 
call this history and we call it culture.
It is a sad thing to live one's life as if listening to a rumor. When we 
are no longer satisfied with rumors and seek the place of occurrence, that 
is when we meet destiny.
Choi In Hoon, Kwangjang
Introduction
What follows is partly history, partly rumor, and partly confession.
I will trace the history of Kyongbok Palace in Seoul, the royal residence 
of fifteen monarchs of Korea's Choson dynasty, from its original 
construction in the late fourteenth century through the destructions and 
reconstructions it underwent in the following five centuries. My narrative 
will serve as historical background to the great controversy that lasted 
from 1993 to 1995 over the question of demolishing the National Museum 
Building, and will reveal not only a secret history of the palace--one 
steeped in ancient, mystical beliefs--but also the problematic attitude 
that modern Koreans have toward their past.

(to be continued on the website)
-----------------------------
Henny  (Lee Hae Kang)

Feel free to visit
http://www.henny-savenije.demon.nl
and feel the thrill of Hamel discovering Korea (1653-1666)
In Korean
http://www.henny-savenije.demon.nl/indexk2.htm



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