{
  "id": 15850186,
  "title": "Rarely opened gate links 2 Seoul palaces for exclusive night tours",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/rarely-opened-gate-links-2-seoul-palaces-for-exclusive-night-tours",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T05:42:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/koreanheritage/20261021/rarely-opened-gate-links-2-seoul-palaces-for-exclusive-night-tours"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting November 10 and running through November 15, visitors will have the unique opportunity to stroll between Changdeok Palace and Changgyeong Palace in central Seoul during the night, thanks to the rarely opened gate that is typically off-limits to the public. This exclusive night tour, titled \"Donggwol Dongnak,\" is a ticketed event organized by the Korea Heritage Service, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Agency.\n\nThe two palaces, formerly known as Donggwol or the \"Eastern Palaces\" during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), are situated east of Gyeongbok Palace, the primary royal residence. The 110-minute program offers a guided exploration of both palaces, followed by free time for participants to wander through their rear gardens. Guides, dressed as court painters from the Joseon-era royal bureau of painting (Dohwaseo), will escort tour-goers through the main halls of Changgyeong Palace and the rear garden of Changdeok Palace.\n\nFour stops along the route will feature short plays depicting the lives of historical figures connected to each site. In the remaining free-viewing time, guests can freely pass through Yeongchunmun, a gate located between the rear gardens of the two palaces, allowing a brief glimpse into the shared history and beauty of these historic sites.",
  "summary": "Visitors will be able to walk between Changdeok Palace and Changgyeong Palace in central Seoul at night next month through a gate that is normally closed to the public, as part of a ticketed night tour, the Korea Heritage Service said Wednesday. The tour, called “Donggwol Dongnak,” runs from Nov. 10-15. It is organized by the agency’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the Korea Heritage Agency.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Rarely opened gate allows night tours between Changdeok and Changgyeong palaces",
    "Donggwol Dongnak is ticketed event organized by Korea Heritage Service",
    "Four stops feature short plays depicting historical figures' lives"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Opening the restricted Yeongchunmun gate transforms these separate royal sites into a unified historical experience that allows visitors to explore the shared heritage of the Eastern Palaces.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Rarely opened gate links 2 Seoul palaces for exclusive night tours",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/rarely-opened-gate-links-2-seoul-palaces-for-exclusive-night-tours-15853973",
        "published": "2026-10-21T06:37:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}