Gwanghwamun Square Reopens After 1 Year 9 Months... Green Spaces and Water Features Bring Smiles to All Ages

West lanes of the square removed... Square area expanded 2.1 times larger than before
About 5,000 trees planted... Citizens relaxing in green spaces
Some civic groups conducting signature campaigns... Seoul City to operate 'Gwanghwamun Square Advisory Group'

"Oh, it's cold!" On the 6th, children are enjoying playing in the water at a water feature in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul. / Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

"Water is coming out!" As water jets spouted from the fountain, about 20 young children cheered and ran toward it. The children’s bodies were dripping wet, but their parents smiled as they watched their joyful faces. Standing tall in front of the place where children played and parents looked on happily was the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square.

At around 11 a.m. on the 6th, Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square reopened after about 1 year and 9 months since the start of its restructuring construction. The previous Gwanghwamun Square had roads on both sides, making it narrow and inconvenient for citizens to cross. However, with this renovation, the western roadway of the square was removed. The total area of the square expanded to 40,300㎡, 2.1 times larger than before (18,840㎡). The width also increased from 35m to 60m.

With the removal of the western roadway that had obstructed passage, citizens found it easier to visit the square. It felt as if a very wide sidewalk had been created. Some citizens sat on the stairs near the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, chatting and drinking water without walking. People tired from playing in Gwanghwamun Square went straight to nearby cafes to rest.

On the 6th, citizens rested sitting in the tree-planted resting area at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, which opened to the public.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

Citizens were also satisfied with the green spaces. According to Seoul City, about 5,000 trees were planted in Gwanghwamun Square. The green area expanded to 9,367㎡, more than three times the previous size. Some citizens sought shade under the trees. Mr. Kang (82) from Cheongnyangni said, "There are trees planted here and there, and places to sit when you’re tired, which is nice," adding, "I’m glad it has become a more citizen-friendly space than I expected."

At the water features, people of all ages stopped to cool off. Children played and ran around in the water regardless of getting their clothes wet. Elderly people also dipped their hands into the fountains. Seoul City announced that a 212m-long 'Historical Waterway' was created in front of Sejongno Park, and a 40m-long 'Tunnel Fountain' consisting of 77 water jets was installed in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

At 7 p.m. that day, the opening commemorative event "Gwanghwamun Square Bitmorak (樂)" will be held at Gwanghwamun Square. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and nine citizens symbolizing the light of time, people, and space will take the stage to perform a "Light of Harmony" performance. Singers such as Kim Chang-hwan Band, Oh My Girl, and Naraechi will also perform. From 6 to 10 p.m., all directions of Sejong-daero will be closed to vehicle traffic for the event.

On the 6th, some civic groups carried flags with slogans such as "Myeolgong" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, which opened to the public. They conducted signature campaigns and other activities. Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

Some civic groups conducted signature campaigns at the reopened Gwanghwamun Square. One civic group carried flags with slogans such as "Founding President Syngman Rhee" and "Destroy Communism," asking for signatures to voice opposition to homosexuality. Other civic groups set up placards with messages like "Stop North Korea Invasion War Drills" and "Withdraw U.S. Troops," requesting signatures from citizens.

Meanwhile, civic groups anticipate that it will become difficult to hold rallies and protests at Gwanghwamun Square in the future. Current Seoul city ordinances generally prohibit assemblies and protests in Gwanghwamun Square. However, civic groups have applied to use the square for cultural events and have effectively held rallies and protests. Seoul City plans to establish a "Gwanghwamun Square Advisory Panel" composed of experts in five fields: noise, traffic, law, police, and events, to assess the nature of submitted event applications.

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