History of Gwanghwamun Square in Timeline

Gwanghwamun Square, located in Seoul, South Korea, is a historically significant public square in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace. For centuries it has served as a public space and road. Known historically as Yukjo-geori (Street of Six Ministries), it was the location of important royal administrative buildings. Today, the square features statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a naval commander famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin War, and King Sejong the Great, the creator of the Korean alphabet, Hangul.

April 1968: Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin erected

On April 27, 1968, the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin was erected in Gwanghwamun Square.

2002: Site of street cheering during FIFA World Cup

In 2002, Gwanghwamun Plaza was one of the sites of street cheering during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

February 2004: New pedestrian-friendly urban space announced

In February 2004, plans for a new pedestrian-friendly, open urban space in Gwanghwamun Square were announced as part of the city's environmentally friendly urban renewal projects, along with similar projects for Namdaemun and Seoul Plaza.

December 2006: Further plans for the square announced

In December 2006, further plans for Gwanghwamun Square were announced in conjunction with the restoration of Gwanghwamun. The Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea was set to carry out the project, with completion scheduled for August 2009.

February 2008: Construction delayed due to opposition

In February 2008, the start of construction on Gwanghwamun Square was delayed due to opposition from the National Police Agency, who were concerned about the square being used for mass protests.

April 2008: Construction commenced

On April 23, 2008, construction of Gwanghwamun Square commenced after the government declared it a demonstration-free zone, overcoming previous opposition.

2008: Waterway stones recorded events from 1392 to 2008

In 2008, the waterway's floor had 617 stones recording the major events from 1392 to 2008 in Gwanghwamun Square.

August 2009: Completion of square scheduled

In August 2009, the completion of the Gwanghwamun Square project was scheduled, in conjunction with the restoration of Gwanghwamun, carried out by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea.

August 2009: Gwanghwamun Square officially opens

On August 1, 2009, Gwanghwamun Square officially opened after a 15-month renovation costing ₩44.5 billion, downsizing Sejongno from 16 lanes to 10. The square was adorned with a flower carpet symbolizing the history of Seoul as the capital from 1394 to the opening date.

October 2009: Statue of King Sejong the Great unveiled

On October 9, 2009, a bronze statue of King Sejong the Great was unveiled in Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate Hangul Day and the 563rd anniversary of the invention of the Korean alphabet.

November 2009: Filming of KBS drama "Iris"

On November 29, 2009, parts of Sejong-ro were closed for twelve hours to film gunfight scenes for the KBS spy action television drama series "Iris," starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee, Jung Joon-ho, Kim Seung-woo and Kim So-yeon.

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December 2009: Open-air ice rink hosted

From December 12, 2009, to February 15, 2010, Gwanghwamun Square hosted an open-air ice rink for the first winter after its opening. The ice rink was 2,250 sq. m.

February 2010: Open-air ice rink hosted

From December 12, 2009, to February 15, 2010, Gwanghwamun Square hosted an open-air ice rink for the first winter after its opening. The ice rink was 2,250 sq. m.

June 2011: Square designated as smoke-free zone

As of June 1, 2011, Gwanghwamun Square was designated as a smoke-free zone by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, with a fine of ₩100,000 for violations.

July 2012: Beast guerrilla concert

On July 26, 2012, boy band Beast held a guerrilla concert at Gwanghwamun Square for 4,000 people, promoting their fifth mini album "Midnight Sun." The performance was broadcast on SBS's music show "Inkigayo."

September 2012: Sejong-ro designated pedestrian- and cyclist-only

On September 23, 2012, the government designated a 550-meter section of Sejong-ro as pedestrian- and cyclist-only on a trial basis. The section started from the road at the Gwanghwamun three-way intersection, went along the plaza in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and ended at the Sejong-ro intersection.

2012: Filming location for tvN drama "Queen and I"

In 2012, Gwanghwamun Square was used as a filming location for the tvN drama "Queen and I," featuring the "Gwanghwamun kiss" scene between characters Kim Boong-do and Choi Hee-jin.

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2014: Kyuhyun's "At Gwanghwamun"

In 2014, Kyuhyun of Super Junior used Gwanghwamun as a theme for his chart-topping single, "At Gwanghwamun." Jo Sung-mo of TRAX recorded a live electric guitar cover of the song with Gwanghwamun Gate in the background.

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2016: Major site of protests against Park Geun-hye's government

In 2016, Gwanghwamun Square was a major site of the 2016–17 protests against Park Geun-hye's government.

2020: Gwanghwamun Square closed for redesign

In 2020, Gwanghwamun Square was closed for redesign and renovation, which lasted until August 2022.

August 2022: Expanded plaza reopened

On August 6, 2022, the redesigned and expanded Gwanghwamun Square reopened to the public, featuring a reduced Sejong-daero with 6 lanes and a pedestrian plaza more than doubled in size.