Gyeongbokgung's Geunjeongjeon Woldae Off-Limits Until Late October — Palace Etiquette Campaign Also Underway

If you're planning a fall outing to one of Korea's royal palaces, the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace is not the place to pick for your best photo. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center under the Korea Heritage Service has restricted access to this area from September 2 to October 31 to protect the cultural heritage site.

At a glance: Restricted area Woldae, the broad stone platform in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall (the palace's main throne hall) at Gyeongbokgung Palace · Restriction period September 2–October 31, 2026 · Information Korea Heritage Service Royal Palaces and Tombs Center official website (royal.khs.go.kr)

The Woldae is a broad stone platform in front of a palace's main hall, where Joseon-era kings once held state ceremonies with their officials. Access has been blocked for the time being after a rise in visitor numbers led to repeated cases of damage to the cultural heritage in this area. For the same reason, the Korea Heritage Service also ran a visitor-etiquette campaign from September 14 to 18 across four palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung — to curb smoking, unauthorized entry into restricted areas, and verbal abuse directed at staff.

There's no need to feel disappointed about not being able to photograph the Woldae. The broad courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon still offers a full view of the hall, and the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., can still be watched without advance reservation. Still, it's safer to stay out of any area marked with signage or a barrier line — violators may face penalties.