Sujeongjeon Hall located in the south of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. Its name means “to conduct political affairs properly,” and it was used as the king’s office for a while. It is the only remaining building in the royal administration office area of Gyeongbokgung Palace where people engaged in national affairs.
Despite the Sugjeongjeon Hall, the Jiphyeonjeon, Hongmungwan Hall, and Saganwon Hall were all in the royal administration office area originally. Unfortunately, they were burnt down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. The current building of Sujeongjeon Hall was restored in 1867 along with Geunjeongjeon Hall, Sajeongjeon Hall, and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace during Emperor Gojong’s reign. Nevertheless, they were torn down in 1910 again, except for Sujeongjeon Hall.
As there is a platform in front of the Sujeongjeon Hall, people may regard it as a banquet hall. However, it was primarily used as a stage for the king to officially receive messages from his retainers and to offer written prayers or funeral orations. It was also an important venue to hold the civil service examinations and to announce the successful candidates. A group of scholars introduced the Gabo Reform, created a new deliberative institution, “Gungukgimucheo”, and occupied Sujeongjeon Hall for two years since 1894. It had then replaced the Council of State Affairs as the highest policy-making body at that time.
Besides, Jiphyeonjeon was an academic research institution working in Sujeongjeon Hall. Thus, a lot of books and edicts of the king were saved there. Nevertheless, the Jiphyeonjeon was abolished 37 years after its establishment due to the “Sayuksin Incident”. In 1456, King Sejo found out that the scholars and former officials of Jiphyeonjeon had gathered to discuss the reinstatement of King Danjong. He punished all the scholars and eliminated the Jiphyeonjeon. After King Seongjong ascended the throne, he created Hongmungwan to replace Jiphyeonjeon.
Sujeongjeon Hall has great historical and architectural value as it is the only remaining building at the royal administration office area, and its overall appearance as it was upon completion of the restoration work has been well preserved.