Seonjeongjeon Hall is a royal council hall for the king to work and discuss state affairs with his subjects. Its name means “promoting politics and education”. It served the same role as Sajeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Many large and small royal events were held on the platform of the hall. Also, as the role a Seonjeongjeon Hall was replaced by Heejeongdang Hall afterwards, it was used to place ancestral tablets and coffins.

Did you notice the beautiful blue tiles used for the roof of Seonjeongjeon Hall? Originally, it is said that there were many buildings with blue tiles in Changdeokgung Palace before the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Seonjeongjeon Hall is the last remaining structure with blue tiles on its exterior. The blue tiles were extremely valuable because they were created using Chinese techniques and Arabic blue dye.

Why were the blue tiles only used in a few halls of the palace instead of the whole palace? This is because Confucianism, which was the national religion of Korea regarding simple living, was the highest virtue. Also, according to Confucianism, the royal palace should be decorated modestly without excessive ornaments. King Gwanghaegun was therefore criticized by the people for being too luxurious about the use of blue tiles. It can be said that simplicity was the greatest virtue of the Joseon Dynasty.