During the late Joseon Period, Heungseon Daewongun (1820-1898), the biological father of King Gojong, observing that the Western powers were threatening the countries of East Asia, strongly pushed ahead with a closed-door policy. Thus, the “Steles Rejecting Reconciliation” were erected as symbols of just such a policy in busy traffic locations. This particular one used to be placed beside Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno, Seoul.