How did the Japanese invasion of 1592 affect Korean architectural heritage?

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The Japanese invasion of 1592, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had a devastating impact on Korean architectural heritage, leaving much of the country in ruins. During the conflict, numerous palaces, public buildings, and private homes were burned, resulting in the widespread loss or destruction of significant cultural treasures.1

The destruction was so extensive that many of the large palace and temple buildings preserved from the Chosŏn period today are structures that were rebuilt following the invasion. For example, the Kyŏngbok Palace, which originally comprised over 100 buildings, was entirely burned down during the late 1500s and required major reconstruction efforts in the 19th century. Beyond the physical destruction of structures, the invasion also resulted in the kidnapping of skilled artisans and scholars, who were forced to relocate to Japan.21