History of Seoul resurrected at Gwanghwamun Square
The 600 year history of Seoul as a capital city will be brought back to life at the Gwanghwamun Square on Sejongno. The square, to be completed in July, will restore the historicity of Yukjo Street and offer a culture-filled space with a panoramic view of Gyeongbokgung and Bugaksan. A pedestrian pavement network connecting Cheonggyecheon and Gyeongbokgung will make the space people-centric.
A memorial waterway which represents an old water stream that once flowed from Bugaksan to Cheonggyecheon and which records the history and culture of Joseon period will be a new attraction at the Gwanghwamun Plaza. The 364-meter- long stream will be 1 meter wide and have a depth of 5 centimeters. Major events from the time of the establishment of Joseon in 1392 to 2008 will be recorded.
A sunken plaza is being built under the water fountain in front of Admiral Yi Sun-shin’s statue. Measuring 1,197 square meters in area, the sunken plaza connects the subway station and ground-level plaza. Covered with reinforced glass, the sunken plaza will have natural light. It will also feature an exhibition of the Yukjo street which was unearthed during an excavation last September.
Reflecting public opinion, the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin will remain in its current location. A new statue of King Sejong will also be located at the Gwanghwamun Square.
The city has commissioned University of Seoul to prepare the guide to the various Joseon-period structures and select historical events to be recorded at the memorial waterway. The final decision will be made on Feb. 28 after expert consultations and supervision by the National Institute of Korean History.
For more information, please contact the Seoul Global Center at (82-2)1688-0120 or email to hotline@seoul.go.kr
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