Seoul opens exhibition hall on site of Joseon dynasty's top administrative body

The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened the Uijeongbu Site Exhibition Hall on the grounds where the Uijeongbu — Joseon's supreme administrative body — once stood, the city announced Friday. The Uijeongbu was the highest government office of the Joseon dynasty, where the three chief state councilors assisted the king and deliberated on major affairs of state.

Under the theme "Uijeongbu, Back into the Arms of Citizens," the city will offer programs featuring traditional cultural experiences and performances open to the public.

The exhibition hall occupies a single above-ground floor with a total area of 225 square meters. It is organized around three themes — "History," "Government Office" and "Excavation" — tracing the Uijeongbu's role during the Joseon period, the evolution of its buildings and the process of unearthing the site.

The first theme, "History: The Uijeongbu Takes Shape Before Gwanghwamun," examines the construction of Hanyang, the Joseon capital, and the founding, decline and reconstruction of the Uijeongbu. The second, "Government Office: Governing the Nation in Service of the King," uses image materials including the Gyeongguk Daejeon legal code and a portrait of Chief State Councilor Hwang Hui, along with a facade display of Jeongbondang — the office of the three chief councilors — to illustrate the institution's standing, functions and the roles of its officials. The third theme, "Excavation: A Forgotten Legacy Brought Back to Life," draws on photographs of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government building, modern-era architectural drawings and excavation survey maps to show how the site changed in the modern period and how the remains were uncovered.

The outdoor area features tactile scale models and augmented reality content, along with expanded landscaping, allowing visitors to experience the Uijeongbu's historic appearance while enjoying a place to rest.

The hall is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. It is closed every Monday, on Jan. 1, and on the days of seollal and chuseok.