The inside of the former Korean Consulate in the U.S., which was opened during the era of the Korean Empire in 1891, has been made public for the first time in its history.

Located in Washington, the exterior of the building is similar to its appearance in old photos taken more than 100 years ago. No major changes have been made to its internal structure either.

The owner of the building said that they are pleased with the return of the building to Korea.

Among the Korean Empire’s overseas diplomatic missions, the consulate is the only building that has been kept intact. The building was used as the Korean Empire’s consulate from 1891 to 1905. Japan began managing the building since it forcibly signed a protectorate agreement with the Korean Empire in 1905. Japan then purchased it from Korea for five dollars in June 1910 and sold it to a U.S. citizen for ten dollars that year.

South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration signed a contract to buy back the structure from a U.S. couple earlier this month.

The administration said that it will decide on how to use the building after conducting a study.