Gwanghwamun Plaza
| Gwanghwamun Plaza | |
|---|---|
| Public square | |
| Korean transcriptions | |
| Hangul | 광화문광장 |
| Hanja | 光化門廣場 |
| Revised Romanization | Gwanghwamun Gwangjang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwanghwamun Kwangchang |
Statue of King Sejong with Gwanghwamun in the background
|
|
| Features: | fountain, statues |
| Opening date: | 1 August 2009 |
| Cost: | ₩44.5 billion. |
| Owner: | Seoul Metropolitan Government |
| Location: |
Sejongno, Jongno-gu Seoul, South Korea |
| Coordinates: 37°34′22″N 126°58′36″E / 37.57278°N 126.97667°ECoordinates: 37°34′22″N 126°58′36″E / 37.57278°N 126.97667°E | |
Gwanghwamun Plaza (Hangul: 광화문광장; Hanja: 光化門廣場, also known as Gwanghwamun Square) is a public open space on Sejongno, Jongno-gu in Seoul, South Korea. The plaza was opened on 1 August 2009 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and is part of the City's plans for environmentally friendly renovation projects such as the Cheonggye Stream and Seoul Plaza. It is also of historical significant as the location of royal administrative buildings, known as Yukjo-geori or Street of Six Ministries; and features statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin of Joseon Dynasty and King Sejong the Great of Joseon.
The area of the Gwanghwamun Plaza has a long history. It has been a public space and road for centuries of Korean history. Sometime in the 20th century it has been converted into a 16-lane roadway.
A new pedestrian-friendly open downtown urban space was first announced in February 2004, along with projects for Namdaemun and Seoul Plaza. In December 2006, further plans for the plaza was announced. The project in conjunction with the restoration of Gwanghwamun was carried out by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, and schedule for completion by August 2009. Construction of the plaza was originally scheduled to begin in February 2008, however it was delayed because of opposition from the National Police Agency, who was concerned that the plaza could be abused as a venue for mass protests. Construction commenced on 23 April 2008, after the Government decreed it a demonstration-free zone.
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