Many structures were destroyed during Japan's multiple late 15th to 16th (1592) century attempts to conquer Korea and invade China.

Today its main points of interest are as follows: On May 13, 1762, that courtyard in front of Munjeongjeon witnessed the most tragic incident of the century.

It had been reported to King Yeongjo that Crown Prince Sado was mentally ill and behaving erratically.

Furious with the Prince, his father ordered him to be sealed alive in a large rice chest, where he died eight days later at the age of 27.

King Yeongjo later became remorseful and gave his son the posthumous title 'Sado' ("thinking in sorrow").