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Gwanghwamun Square

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Gwanghwamun Square[2][3][4][5] (also known as Gwanghwamun Plaza; Korean: 광화문광장) is a public square on Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.[6] Serving as a public space and at times road for centuries of Korean history,[7] it is also historically significant as the location of royal administrative buildings, known as Yukjo-geori or Street of Six Ministries;[8] and features statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin of Joseon Dynasty and King Sejong the Great of Joseon.[9]

Gwanghwamun Square
Public square
The square in 2011. The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is in the center, and to the far right is Gyeongbokgung and the Blue House just above it
The square in 2011. The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is in the center, and to the far right is Gyeongbokgung and the Blue House just above it
FeaturesFountain, statues
Opening date1 August 2009
Cost₩44.5 billion.[1]
OwnerSeoul Metropolitan Government
LocationSejongno, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Map
Coordinates: 37°34′22″N 126°58′36″E / 37.57278°N 126.97667°E / 37.57278; 126.97667
Korean name
Hangul
광화문광장
Hanja
光化門廣場
Revised RomanizationGwanghwamun Gwangjang
McCune–ReischauerKwanghwamun Kwangchang
The logo of Gwanghwamun Square

History

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The area of Gwanghwamun Square has a long history, and by the Joseon period it had become the central point of Seoul.[10] The square suffered neglect during the Japanese colonial period, faced damage during the Korean War, and then was used as a 16-lane roadway in the 20th century.[10][11][12]

A new pedestrian-friendly, open urban space intended to restore the square was first announced in February 2004, along with projects for Namdaemun and Seoul Plaza, forming part of the city's urban renewal plans for environmentally friendly renovation projects.[13] In December 2006, further plans for the square were announced. The project, in conjunction with the restoration of Gwanghwamun, was carried out by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and scheduled for completion by August 2009.[14] Construction of the square was originally scheduled to begin in February 2008, however it was delayed because of opposition from the National Police Agency, who were concerned that the square could be abused as a venue for mass protests. Construction commenced on 23 April 2008, after the Government decreed it a demonstration-free zone.[15]

The plans included moving the old King Sejong statue from Deoksugung to the Square. However, after surveys of citizens and experts, it was decided to commission a new statue of King Sejong in a sitting position and chose the design in a competition between a shortlist of artists recommended by the Korean Fine Arts Association and universities.[16][17]

The square was opened on 1 August 2009 after a renovation period of 15 months, which downsized the 600-meter Sejongno from 16 lanes to 10 lanes of traffic, at a cost of ₩44.5 billion.[1] It is in front of Gwanghwamun and stretches south from the three-way intersection, along the front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on the west side and Kyobo Book Centre on the east side, to the Sejong-ro intersection, where the statue of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands. At its opening, the square was covered with a 162 m long and 17.5 m wide flower carpet, with 224,537 flowers representing the number of days from when Seoul was declared the capital on 28 October 1394, to the opening of the square on 1 August 2009.[18]

 
The plaza filled with people during a visit from Pope Francis (2014)
 
Redesigned Gwanghwamun Square (2022)

From end of 2020 to August 2022, Gwanghwamun Square was closed and redesigned. During the renovation, Sejong-daero was reduced to 6 lanes and the pedestrian plaza more than doubled in size. The expanded plaza reopened on 6 August 2022.[19]

Landmarks

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The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the 12.23 Fountain (2011)

The square features a water fountain in honor of the achievements of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. It is named the 12.23 Fountain after the 23 battles he fought with 12 warships during the 1592–1598 Japanese invasions of Korea. The water jets rise to a height of 18 meters along with 300 smaller jets, which symbolize the battles he fought on the sea.[20] It also has a waterway, two centimeters deep and one meter across, at 365 meters along the square's east side. The waterway's floor has 617 stones recording the major events from 1392 to 2008.[21]

 
The Kukki Taekwondo Festival in the square (2023)

The fountain is located next to the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin. This statue was erected on April 27, 1968.[22] On 9 October 2009, two months after the Square's opening, a second statue, the 6.2-meter high, 20-ton bronze statue of King Sejong the Great of Joseon was unveiled to the public.[23] It is located 250 meters behind the statue of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin.[24] It was dedicated on Hangul Day in celebration of the 563rd anniversary of the invention of the Korean alphabet by King Sejong.[23]

Underneath the statues, there is a small exhibition hall and museum that memorialize Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and King Sejong.[25]

Administration

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Celebrating Buddha's Birthday in the square (2015)

Rallies and demonstrations are illegal at the Square; the Seoul Metropolitan Government has decreed that it is to be used for cultural exhibitions.[26]

As of 1 June 2011, the Square along with Seoul Plaza are designated as smoke-free zones by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Smokers who violate the law are fined ₩100,000.[27]

On 23 September 2012, on a trial basis, the government designated a 550-m section of Sejong-ro as pedestrian- and cyclist-only. The section starts from the road at the Gwanghwamun three-way intersection, goes along the plaza in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and ends at the Sejong-ro intersection.[28]

Events

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Crowds cheering for Korea during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the square

The Square is the starting location of the annual Seoul International Marathon, which finishes within the Olympic Stadium.[29][30]

In the first winter after its opening, the Square hosted an open-air ice rink from 12 December 2009 to 15 February 2010. The public rink was 2,250 sq. m, which was larger than the one at Seoul Plaza at 2,100 sq. m.[31]

The plaza was one of the sites of street cheering during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.[citation needed]

The square was a major site of the 2016–17 protests against Park Geun-hye's government.[32]

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On 29 November 2009, parts of Sejong-ro were closed to traffic for twelve hours to film lengthy gunfight scenes for Korean Broadcasting System (KBS)'s 2009 spy action television drama series "Iris," starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee, Jung Joon-ho, Kim Seung-woo and Kim So-yeon.[33] The five lanes along the square in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts were closed to traffic from 07:00 to 19:00, while the five lanes on the Kyobo Book Centre side remains open to traffic. This marks the first time the Seoul Metropolitan Government has granted permission to block traffic along the square for filming and it is part of the government's plans to promote the city's major tourist attractions, including Cheonggye Stream and Han River.[34][35]

On 26 July 2012 at 23:00, boy band Beast held a guerrilla concert at the Gwanghwamun end of the square in front of an audience of 4,000 people. It was part of their promotion for their fifth mini album "Midnight Sun," and the performance was broadcast on SBS's music show "Inkigayo."[36][37]

In 2012, the square was used as a filming location for tvN drama "Queen and I." The two lead characters Kim Boong-do and Choi Hee-jin (played by Ji Hyun-woo and Yoo In-na, respectively) share a kiss dubbed the "Gwanghwamun kiss" against the backdrop of Gwanghwamun.[38]

Kyuhyun, of boy band Super Junior, used the location as a theme for his 2014 chart-topping single, "At Gwanghwamun." His label-mate Jo Sung-mo, of TRAX, recorded a live electric guitar cover of the song with Gwanghwamun Gate in the background.[39][40]

Transport

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Kwon, Mee-yoo (26 July 2009). "Gwanghwamun Plaza to Open Saturday". The Korea Times. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  2. ^ "A bigger and better Gwanghwamun Square Reopens!".
  3. ^ "Gwanghwamun Square & getting there". koreatodo. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Gwanghwamun Square". The Seoul Guide. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Gwanghwamun Square | Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu, Seoul | Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Popular plaza". Korea JoongAng Daily. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Ever-evolving Gwanghwamun to be altered anew". Korea JoongAng Daily. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  8. ^ Chung, Min-uck (23 March 2012). "Gyeongbokgung: main royal palace to Korea's last dynasty". The Korea Times. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Gwanghwamun Plaza: Let's Try to Turn New Place Into National Symbol". The Korea Times. 2 August 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  10. ^ a b "*Gwanghwamun* Square Reopens". The Yonsei Annals (in Korean). 3 September 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Gwanghwamun Plaza". The Korea Times. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Visit Seoul - Gwanghwamun Square". english.visitseoul.net. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Three New Citizen Squares to Be Built in Downtown Seoul". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 February 2004. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Traffic Artery to Make Way for Public Plaza". The Chosun Ilbo. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  15. ^ Kim, Tae-jong (23 April 2008). "Construction of Plaza at Gwanghwamun Begins". The Korea Times. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  16. ^ "Both Admiral Yi, King Sejong to Stand in Gwanghwamun". The Chosun Ilbo. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  17. ^ "King Sejong to Be Seated in Gwanghwamun Monument". The Chosun Ilbo. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  18. ^ "New Gwanghwamun Plaza Opens Saturday". The Chosun Ilbo. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  19. ^ "Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul opens to public after renovation". 6 August 2022.
  20. ^ Lee, Ji-young (9 September 2009). "Fountains spring to life as city centerpieces". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  21. ^ Shim, Hyun-chul (6 August 2009). "Gwanghwamun Plaza". The Korea Times. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  22. ^ "Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)". VisitKorea.or.kr. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  23. ^ a b "Statue of King Sejong is unveiled". Korea JoongAng Daily. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Seoul's New Landmark: Gwanghwamun Plaza Now Open". VisitKorea.or.kr. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Two Free Museums in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square - Bobo and ChiChi". Bobo and ChiChi. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  26. ^ Kwon, Mee-yoo (3 August 2009). "Demonstrations Banned at Gwanghwamun Plaza". The Korea Times. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  27. ^ Lee, Ji-yoon (3 June 2011). "Smoking ban at Seoul squares effective". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  28. ^ "Pedestrian Zone Planned for Central Seoul". The Chosun Ilbo. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  29. ^ 2011 Seoul International Marathon Information. Dong-A Marathon. Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  30. ^ "World-class runners to compete in Sunday's Seoul Int'l Marathon". The Korea Herald. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  31. ^ "Seoul Ice Rink to Move to Gwanghwamun This Winter". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  32. ^ Herald (26 November 2016). "[Live] 1.9 million take to streets, but no violence". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  33. ^ Kim, Jessica (30 November 2009). "Iris shoots in Gwanghwamun". 10 Asia. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  34. ^ Kim Mi-ju; Kim Gyeong-jin (28 November 2009). "Spy drama shoots in central Seoul". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  35. ^ Kim, Hannah (3 December 2009). "Iris will be back for a second season, sans Lee Byung-hun". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  36. ^ Hong, Lucia (26 July 2012). "BEAST to light up Seoul at guerilla concert tonight". 10 Asia. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  37. ^ Ho, Stewart (27 July 2012). "B2ST Successfully Holds Surprise Concert in Gwanghwamun Square With 4,000 Fans". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  38. ^ Lee, JinHo (11 April 2012). "Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na Lock Lips in Front of Gwanghwamun". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  39. ^ timmydee (12 November 2014). "Super Junior's Kyuhyun Kills Charts with "At Gwanghwamun" Debut". Soompi. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  40. ^ Kim, I. (10 December 2014). "TRAX Jung Mo Covers Kyuhyun's "At Gwanghwamun" with Electric Guitar". Soompi. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  41. ^ Murthy, Rishika (22 September 2011). "Seoul's 6 coolest subway stops". CNN Travel. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  42. ^ "Don't abuse our new plaza". Korea JoongAng Daily. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
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