[One Day Walk] A Course to Experience Modern and Contemporary Korean History... Line 5 Seodaemun Station

Editor's NoteThe subway is a transportation method that anyone can easily access and travel safely, and it is also an important point for daily walking. We introduce walkable places around subway stations.

The subway walking course this time is Seodaemun Station on Line 5, where you can find traces of modern and contemporary history. Seodaemun was one of the four great gates of the Joseon Dynasty and refers to the main gate on the west side of the city wall. Its official name is ‘Donuimun.’ Around Seodaemun Station, many relics of Korea’s modern and contemporary history remain, making it perfect for studying history while walking.

First, if you exit from Exit 4 of Seodaemun Station on Line 5 and walk about 300 meters, you will see Gyeonggyojang. Registered as Historic Site No. 465, Gyeonggyojang was the private residence used by Baekbeom Kim Gu after returning from China following Korea’s liberation on August 15, and it is also where he was assassinated. The building was constructed in 1938 by businessman Choi Chang-hak during the Japanese colonial period and showcases the architectural style of that era. Since 2013, it has been open to the public except on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Passing by the Police Museum and walking about 70 meters further, you will encounter Gyeonghuigung Palace, built in 1623 during King Gwanghaegun’s reign. It is known as one of the five grand palaces of Joseon, along with Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeongungung. Originally, Gyeonghuigung was built as a secondary palace (ligung) used temporarily when the main palace had to be relocated, but it became a palace of higher status as several late Joseon kings such as Sukjong, Yeongjo, and Jeongjo conducted state affairs there. However, Gyeonghuigung gradually lost its original form due to damage caused by Heungseon Daewongun’s reconstruction policy of Gyeongbokgung and later by the Japanese colonial government. Today, only Heunghwamun, which served as the main gate, Sungjeongjeon, the main hall, and Hwanghakjeong, a pavilion in the rear garden, remain. Knowing this background of a ‘gradually forgotten palace’ will make your walk more interesting.

The next course is Dilkusha, a Western-style house built during the Japanese colonial period. Nearby, you can also see the red brick house of Hong Nan-pa, who composed the children’s song ‘Spring in My Hometown’ during the colonial era. Then, head to Seodaemun Independence Park, created to honor the patriotic martyrs who suffered imprisonment for the anti-Japanese independence movement. The park includes the Independence Gate, History Hall, Independence Hall, and the Patriotic Martyrs Memorial Tower. After touring the park, you may want to stop by Yeongcheon Market, about 300 meters from Independence Park, to enjoy local specialties such as twisted doughnuts (kkwabaegi) and tteokbokki.

Main Stops: Line 5 Seodaemun Station Exit 4 - Gyeonggyojang - Gyeonghuigung - Dilkusha - Seodaemun Independence Park - Yeongcheon Market

Course Distance: 6 km, approximately 3 hours

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