Toksugung Opens at Night for the First Time in 20 Years

Toksugung, one of Seoul's famous palaces constructed during the Chosun Dynasty, will resume tours during the evenings after nearly 20 years.
The National Bureau of Cutural Properties (NBCP) announced on March 25 that Toksugung will hold a 'Spring Flower Festival' every night until 9 p.m. from April 10 to May 9, when spring flowers are expected to be in full bloom in Seoul.
Toksu Palace has not opened at night for security concerns over the protection of cutural properties. However, in 1964 it along with other historic buildings opened their doors to the public at night, but that was abolished in 1979 when President Park Jung Hee was assassinated and martial law was proclaimed two days later.
During the night-time hours of operations a variety of cultural and artistic performances will be held on the palace grounds.
The NBCP also said that it will offer perfomance sites at the palace to individual performers or private groups.

Jangsoo Seo;jsbee@joongang.co.kr