[Future of Seochon] ⑭ "A Space Should Be Created to Introduce the History of Gyeongbokgung Rear Garden, Gyeongmudae, and Cheongwadae Transformations"

The Site of Cheongwadae is the Rear Garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace... "Served as the Presidential Office for 74 Years"
Need to Develop a Tourist Route Connecting Cheongwadae, Seochon, Bukchon, and Inwangsan

On May 26, when the interior of the Blue House main building was opened to the public, citizens visiting the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, lined up to tour the main building. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomibeum] Seochon, near Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is changing. In the past, the area was bustling with jungin (middle class), but now tourists have started to flock in. The floating population has noticeably increased. Long lines have formed along the streets waiting for shuttle buses. This change began after the recent opening of Cheongwadae, where former presidents stayed, to the public, following Gyeongbokgung Palace, the former royal residence.

Seochon experienced decline due to various regulations during the Park Chung-hee administration in 1963 but began to revive after being designated as a Hanok (traditional Korean house) cluster district in 2010. Now, Seochon is gaining renewed attention as a new tourist course linked with Cheongwadae. The highest seats of power of the era?Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheongwadae, and Seochon connecting the two?are drawing interest. On the 8th, Asia Economy interviewed Professor Shin Byung-joo of Konkuk University’s Department of History, who is well-versed in Seochon’s history, to hear about the stories of the area.

Professor Shin Byung-joo

- The opening of Cheongwadae has greatly increased visitors. It seems Seochon is undergoing significant changes.

▲ It is positive. Since Gyeongbokgung Station is nearby, many people gather there and pass through Seochon. Naturally, interest in Seochon increases. There are many historical sites in Seochon. Traces of Jamjeo (Changuigung), where King Yeongjo lived before becoming king, remain, and it also preserves the scenery of Inwangjesaekdo (Inwang Mountain’s seasonal views). Recently, many cafes popular with young people have opened, but Seochon is still an underdeveloped area. It is expected to receive more attention by linking it with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheongwadae, which was formerly its rear garden.

- What kind of place was the Cheongwadae site before?

▲ Cheongwadae (the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung) appeared in history after the founding of Joseon in 1392 and the relocation of the capital to Hanyang two years later. The Cheongwadae site was used as a royal garden for rest. Various pavilions were built, and civil service examinations were held there. The northern altar (Bukdan), where all the meritorious subjects gathered for alliance ceremonies, was also located here.

- Are many features of the garden still preserved?

▲ The shrine for the royal concubines who bore kings, called Jigung, remains. However, traces of spaces used for civil service exams or meritorious subjects’ gatherings need redevelopment. A space should be created to well introduce and allow people to experience the history and culture of the site’s evolution from Gyeongbokgung’s rear garden to Gyeongmudae and Cheongwadae. Artificial restoration to resemble the Joseon era is not the best approach. It is necessary to effectively convey the historical story. Developing a tourist course connecting Gyeongbokgung, Seochon, Bukchon, Bukaksan, and Inwangsan is needed.

- Considering Cheongwadae was the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung, it was truly the center of power for a long time.

▲ In 1592, during the Imjin War, Gyeongbokgung and its rear garden were completely destroyed. They were left abandoned for 270 years until 1865 (the 2nd year of King Gojong) when Heungseon Daewongun’s reconstruction project brought them back to historical prominence. King Gojong built several buildings in the current Cheongwadae area, one of which was Gyeongmudae. After the establishment of the government on August 5, 1948, President Syngman Rhee used the former Japanese Governor-General’s residence (the old Gyeongmudae) as his office and renamed it Gyeongmudae. Later, in 1961 during President Yun Bo-seon’s term, it was renamed Cheongwadae. In 1990, under President Roh Tae-woo, the Cheongwadae main building was newly constructed, and now only the site remains. Including the Gyeongmudae period, Cheongwadae served as the presidential office for 74 years from 1948 until May 9, 2022.

- Recently, tourists have been flocking to Seochon. How should Seochon change and develop?

▲ Originally, Seochon was a quiet place. It was a tranquil area with many Hanok houses, visited by retirees or those interested in culture and arts. However, recently, with more people and commercial facilities increasing, much of the former tranquility has disappeared. Many residents feel uncomfortable with these changes. It is necessary to carefully manage the flow of people so that residents and tourists can coexist harmoniously.

- I understand the name Gyeongbokgung comes from the old "Shijing" (Book of Songs). The new name contest for Cheongwadae is underway; do you personally have a recommended name?

▲ On October 7, 1395, during a banquet, a pleasantly intoxicated King Taejo ordered Jeong Do-jeon to name the palace. Jeong Do-jeon cited a passage from the "Zhou Ya" section of the Shijing: “Already drunk with wine, already full of virtue, the gentleman will forever cherish your great blessing (Gyeongbok).” This is the origin of the name Gyeongbokgung. Cheongwadae’s name was inspired by the green tiles of the former Gyeongmudae. I understand the new name for Cheongwadae has already been narrowed down to a few options. I have no particular comment; it should be decided from among those.

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