'Gwanghwamun Plaza' Green Space Expanded 3.3 Times... Creating a 'Park-Like Plaza' with Increased Rest Areas

Creation of Various Themed Green Healing Forest Trails Including Sagyejeongwon, Gwangjangsup, and Sonamujeongwon

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 4th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it has planted 5,000 trees, including 300 tall trees mainly of native Korean species, throughout Gwanghwamun Square to create a “comfortable resting place with nature and greenery” where people can enjoy the charm and leisure of everyday life. Various resting spaces have also been prepared.

In the ‘Yukjo Madang’ area in front of Gwanghwamun, a wide lawn plaza was created to preserve the appearance of Yukjo Street from the Joseon Dynasty and the beautiful scenery of present-day Gwanghwamun. The historical stone path, which records history annually on stone slabs from the founding of Joseon in 1392 to the present, begins here at Yukjo Madang. Visitors can sit on the ‘Sitting Wall’ installed next to the historical path to feel the flow of history and smell the scent of the pine forest planted right beside it.

The evergreen pine tree, loved by scholars and painters throughout Korean history and culture, is placed at the entrance of the square. Along the walking path through the Jangsong (from Gangneung, Gangwon Province) pine grove planted in the ‘Pine Garden,’ visitors can enjoy views of Gwanghwamun and Bukaksan Mountain.

In the ‘Garden of Time,’ visitors can feel the flow of time connecting the past and present. The ‘Wall Fountain of Time’ was created by modeling the geological layers revealed at the excavation site of the former Saheonbu (Office of the Inspector-General). The buried cultural heritage ‘Saheonbu Gate’ excavated here is on display for visitors to view directly. Surrounding this, a traditional Korean garden called Hwaggye (Flower Steps) was created using jangdaeseok (large rectangular stones) to harmonize with the historical scenery, and plum trees, crape myrtles, peonies, and hydrangeas were planted.

The ‘Four Seasons Garden,’ which continues along the jangdaeseok flower bed, is a place where visitors can enjoy the flowers, fruits, and autumn foliage of native Korean plants to experience distinct seasonal changes. Plants such as cornelian cherry, wild cherry, cornel dogwood, crape myrtle, and bokjagi were planted in the garden, which also provides movable tables and chairs for citizens to rest.

Private companies and non-profit organizations near Gwanghwamun also participated in the creation of Gwanghwamun Square. The Gwanghwamun One Team, an ESG council, donated 73 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants worth 150 million KRW, which were planted in the section from Pine Garden to Four Seasons Garden, and will participate in plant maintenance going forward.

At the ‘Cultural Rest Area’ near the entrance of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, oak species commonly found in Korean mountains were planted. Within the oak forest, a small and beautiful water basin called the ‘Spring Water Table’ and the ‘Table for Everyone’ were installed, where clear water springs from the center.

In front of the statue of King Sejong and the central stairs of Sejong Center, there is a ‘Playground’ for various events. To accommodate events of different sizes, no trees were planted, leaving the space open. On both sides of the playground, seating areas and wide benches were arranged for event viewing and resting. The ‘Open Plaza’ was planted with hackberry, elm, and Aesculus to provide open views even under tree shade, and the floor was paved with eight types of stones brought from across the country to create the Paldo Stone paving section.

Next to the ‘Open Plaza,’ the ‘Gwanghwamun Stairs’ utilize the terrain difference connecting Haechi Madang and the square to create green and resting spaces. Exiting from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7 leads directly to the ‘Square Forest.’ The Square Forest is densely planted in multiple layers with tall trees such as zelkova, elm, and hackberry, as well as smaller trees and herbaceous plants like mountain hydrangea, Korean dogwood, and bottlebrush tree, creating a lush green resting space like a forest.

Yeo Jang-kwon, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Balanced Development Headquarters, said, “We have strived to make Gwanghwamun Square an attractive space that can embody both history and everyday life as the central space of the Republic of Korea and demonstrate various functions of a square. We hope that citizens can comfortably enjoy their daily lives, culture, and rest in this park-like square where forest and water harmonize.”

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