Beneath the imposing wooden structure, have you ever wondered about the tales Gwanghwamun holds? Gwanghwamun Gate stands as the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a landmark that encapsulates Seoul’s long and storied past as the capital during the Joseon period.
Constructed in 1395 under King Taejo, Gwanghwamun was the grand southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. As the main gate, it was larger and more ornate than the other gates. The center gate was reserved for the king. The other two gates served the crown prince and royal officials.
Imagine the imposing granite walls. They form a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. At the top center, a sign displays the gate’s name.
But the story of Gwanghwamun is not one of uninterrupted glory. It has faced destruction and restoration multiple times. During the Imjin War from 1592 to 1598, Gwanghwamun suffered severe damage. It lay in ruins until Gyeongbokgung Palace was reconstructed in 1864.
Under Japanese administration, the gate was dismantled. It was moved to the north of the palace’s eastern gate. During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, it was damaged again. In 1968, Gwanghwamun was relocated to the south of the palace. It was rebuilt using concrete. However, its position was shifted slightly from its original location.
A major reconstruction project began in 2006. The goal was to restore Gwanghwamun to its original state and location. Workers disassembled the entire structure. They replaced concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months, Gwanghwamun reopened to the public on August 15, 2010.
The restoration aimed for historical accuracy. Craftsmen recreated the name plate using century-old glass plate photographs. The wooden structure was based on a blueprint from 1925 created by the Japanese Colonial Government. Pine wood was carefully selected from Korea. The use of foreign wood was strictly forbidden.
Gwanghwamun reopened on Liberation Day of Korea. The project cost ₩ 28 billion. Im Tae-young’s Hanja lettering was used on the new name plate. He was the general in charge of rebuilding under King Gojong. Master Oh Ok-jin used the gakjajang method for the calligraphy. This technique is an Important Intangible Cultural Property.
However, cracks appeared in the wooden plate by November 2010. The Cultural Heritage Administration blamed the dry weather. Experts believed immature pine had been used to meet the deadline. After debate, the panel was replaced. New wooden boards underwent natural drying in Gangwon Province.
Today, the area in front of Gwanghwamun is Gwanghwamun Plaza. It opened as a public space on August 1, 2009. Watching the changing of the guards at Gwanghwamun is a favorite activity. The ceremony occurs hourly from 10:00 to 15:00.
Gwanghwamun stands as a symbol of resilience. It reflects the spirit of the Korean people. Its story is etched in every beam and stone, a testament to a nation’s enduring heritage.