The tales of palace intrigue are often more interesting than the buildings themselves. A postcard of the palace in the early 20th century. Robert Neff Collection

In the annals of Joseon history, arguably the most interesting and hated women was Jang Ok-jeong (1659-1701), better known as Huibin Jang, King Sukjong’s royal consort. Her tale is like an episode from the popular drama “Game of Thrones” — complete with Machiavellian intrigue, seduction, witch trials, executions and, finally, ghostly hauntings.

In the early 1680s, Jang, an exceedingly beautiful palace woman, was “flirtatious and seductive, [and] soon captured the foolish heart of the king and became his favorite concubine.” Her position in the palace was strengthened further in 1688, when she bore the king his first son and heir to the throne Yi Yun (King Gyeongjeong). This was monumental, as the king’s first two wives had been unable to provide him with an heir. However, this was not enough for Jang. She “continued to purr into the king’s ear vindictive lies” about Queen Inhyeon (the king's second wife) causing his former high opinions of his wife to sour into disappointment and derision.

It soon became common knowledge that the king intended on removing the queen from the palace. It was not a popular decision with his subjects as the queen was exceedingly well-liked and known for her gentle nature.

Infuriated with the increasing opposition, the king dealt severely with his critics. One man, Bak Tae-bo, was tortured with “red hot plates” placed upon his arms and legs. When he refused to recant his protests, pieces of broken pottery were placed upon his burned limbs and then “a plank was placed across them and men stood on either end of it and jumped up and down.” There were other tortures, but none of them could break the man’s........

© The Korea Times