Deoksu vs. Gyeongun Palace

Deoksu Palace in Seoul is where important events occurred in the turbulent early 20th century, when Korea lost its sovereignty to Japan. In February 1896, King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty secretly left the royal palace Gyeongbok and fled to the Russian legation near Deoksu. The following year, Gojong moved to Deoksu Palace, which was called Gyeongun Palace at the time. The king took the palace as his residence to prepare for contingencies since it was surrounded by legations of countries such as the U.S., Britain and Russia.

In 1897, Gojong declared the foundation of the Korean Empire in Deoksu and ascended to the imperial throne. The 1905 Japan–Korea treaty, under which Korea handed over its sovereignty to Japan, was signed at Jungmyeong Pavilion in the palace. The dispatch of secret envoys to the 1907 World Peace Conference in The Hague was discussed there as well. This forced Gojong to abdicate from the throne. His successor Sunjong moved to Changdeok Palace, but he remained in Deoksu, whose name means "father of the king." Given that the term "Deoksu Palace" began appearing in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty shortly after Sunjong ascended to the throne on Aug. 6, 1907, Sunjong apparently changed the name of Gyeongun Palace to Deoksu around that time.

Certain experts have urged that Deoksu be given its old name Gyeongun to remove the last vestiges of Japanese imperialism. A hearing on this was held by the Cultural Heritage Administration last week. Located in the center of Seoul, Deoksu used to be a venue not only of art and essay contests for elementary school students but also of the National Art Exhibition, the gateway to success for painters, in the 1960s and 70s. The song "The Love Song of Gwanghwamun" has lyrics that go "Now everything has changed without a trace following the passage of time, but still remains on the stone path of Deoksu Palace, affectionately walking lovers." The stone path of the palace is cause for the older generation to recall memories from their youth.

Those who believe that the palace should get its old name back have a case, but the name Deoksu holds a lot of history of the lives and stories of ordinary people. "The stone path of Gyeongun Palace" lacks the same sense of warmth as "the stone path of Deoksu Palace" does. The "history of ordinary people`s lives" in a name is also part of valuable history to be maintained.

Editorial Writer Hong Chan-sik (chansik@donga.com)