As summer temperatures begin to climb across the capital, modern-day travelers and heritage enthusiasts visiting Seoul’s historic core will soon have the rare opportunity to escape the grueling seasonal humidity using the exact wellness methods once reserved exclusively for Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) monarchs. The Changdeok Palace Management Office, operating in close partnership with the Dongui Bogam Academy of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, said Thursday that the palace’s historic Yakbang — the ancient royal infirmary — will open its doors to the general public as a specialized summer cooling shelter. Running from July 15 to Aug. 16, the seasonal program will effectively transform the meticulously restored medical pavilion into a quiet cultural sanctuary, operating from Wednesday through Sunday each week to accommodate peak summer tourist traffic. Historically known as Naeuwon, the Yakbang served as the absolute epicenter of court health care, where elite royal physicians monitored the daily well-being of the king and the immediate imperial family. While the wooden