"Hanyangdoseong History and Scenery at Once"... Jongno-gu Assigns Guides at Gokjang Observatory

This area, restricted to the public since the 'Kim Shin-jo Incident,' was opened on the 1st... The fortress walls around the earthen embankment are well preserved, with walls from the Taejo, Sejong, Sukjong, and Sunjo eras all visible.

Providing guided explanation services to citizens around Gokjang Observatory

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) has assigned Seoul Hanyangdoseong interpreters to the Gokjang Observatory, connected to the Bukaksan Hanyangdoseong trail, to provide interpretation services.

The Gokjang Observatory is located at the junction where the newly opened trail section meets the existing Hanyangdoseong trail. It is easily accessible and offers a wide, unobstructed view, making it a popular spot to enjoy both Bukaksan and Hanyangdoseong.

Additionally, this area is significant as it was restricted to the public following the so-called ‘Kim Shin-jo Incident’ in 1968, when North Korean troops attempted a raid on the Blue House, but was reopened to the public starting from the 1st of this month.

Considering the increasing number of visitors following the opening of the Bukaksan trail, Jongno-gu has placed interpreters at the Gokjang Observatory, where the existing and new trails meet, so that anyone can receive interpretation services without a separate application.

The fortress walls around Gokjang are well preserved, showing the rough natural stones from the original ‘Taejo’ era walls, the corn kernel-shaped stones from the ‘Sejong’ reconstruction, the standardized stones approximately 40cm in length and width from the ‘Sukjong’ renovation, and the largest stones measuring 60cm used in the final maintenance during the ‘Sunjo’ period.

This section condenses the history of Hanyangdoseong through centuries of construction and reconstruction, and simply listening to the explanations here allows visitors to easily understand the history of Seoul and Hanyangdoseong.

Interpreters work around the Gokjang Observatory from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when many visitors come.

They provide not only Hanyangdoseong interpretation but also guidance on the trail and related precautions to citizens who request it. For more details, please contact the Tourism Division.

Meanwhile, Jongno-gu has resumed the ‘Alleyway Interpreter Program’ and the ‘Seoul Hanyangdoseong Stamp Tour Interpretation Program,’ which were temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19, starting from November.

Those wishing to participate in the programs can apply at least three days before the departure date on the Jongno-gu Office website.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “I recommend walking the Hanyangdoseong and Bukaksan trails to learn about the long history of this place and to have a healing time for the body and mind tired from COVID-19.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.