Hidden beneath the bustling streets of modern Seoul lies a secret. It’s the forgotten story of Souimun Gate. Souimun Gate was one of the Eight Gates of Seoul’s ancient city wall. It was also known as “Promotion of Justice Gate.” Can you imagine the scene here centuries ago? During the Joseon Dynasty, Souimun Gate bore witness to solemn processions. Funeral processions would pass through this gate, carrying the deceased outside the city walls for burial. Souimun Gate, along with Gwanghuimun Gate, served this crucial purpose, as burials within the city were forbidden. The gate stood as a silent guardian, marking the boundary between the living world and the realm of the departed. Sadly, time and progress have erased Souimun Gate from the physical landscape. In 1914, during Japanese colonial rule, the gate was demolished. Urban renewal and road expansions led to the destruction of several historical sites, including Souimun Gate. Today, only a small stone plaque marks its former location. Standing here now, on Seosomun-ro in Jung-gu, we can only imagine the gate’s imposing presence. Picture the stone archway, the bustling crowds, and the somber funeral processions. Although the gate is gone, its memory lingers, a hidden thread in the rich tapestry of Seoul’s history. Souimun Gate’s story, though lost to the physical world, continues to echo through the ages.
Souimun Gate site
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