Myeongjeongjeon Hall
The original structure of Myeongjeongjeon Hall, the royal audience hall of Changgyeonggung Palace and hence the most important palace building, was destroyed by fire in 1592 when Japanese forces invaded Korea, starting the seven-year war called Imjinwaeran in Korea. The current building was erected during the reign of King Gwanghaegun (r. 1608-1623) and remains the oldest of all the palace buildings of Joseon existent today. The hall was sometimes used as a venue for state examinations and state banquets, including those held in honor of the aged. The hall was particularly actively exploited for various royal celebrations during the reign of King Seongjong (r. 1469-1494) who, enthroned at the age of thirteen, had many senior royal family members to take care of, including his great grandmother Queen Jeonghui (1418-1483), grandmother Queen Ansun (ca. 1445-1498), and mother Queen Sohye (1437-1504).