Facilities

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Public amenities

  • Information desk

    Location: Haechi Lounge
    Hours: 9 AM–6 PM (Tue–Sat)

  • Restroom

    Location: Haechi Lounge
    - Hours: 5 AM–1 AM


    Sejong-ro Public Parking Lot Restroom (B1)
    - Open 24 hours a day, Sejong-ro Park Parking Lot (B1)

  • Children’s Lounge

    Location: Haechi Lounge
    Furnished: Sofa, washstand, baby changing station

  • Baby Care Room

    Location: Haechi Lounge
    Furnished: Sofa, table, washstand

  • Beverage vending machine and drinking fountain

    Beverage vending machine
    - Entrance to Sejong-ro Park Parking Lot
    - In front of benches by Hangeul Fountain
    - Inside Haechi Lounge

Statue of King Sejong

A statue of King Sejong who is generally regarded as one of the greatest heroes of the Korean nation and the first king of the Joseon dynasty who was enthroned and died at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The statue (6.2 m tall and 4.3 m wide on a 4.2 m granite pedestal) features King Sejong seated on a throne facing south. The king, showing a benign face, has in his left hand a copy of the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon, a book of the Korean writing system he had invented. He has his right hand gently raised up, expressing his wish for the writing system to be widely taught and used among his people. There are in the front of the pedestal carvings of the original text of the Hunminjeongeum and its interpretation together with those of a sundial, rain gauge and armillary sphere that represent the scientific achievement made during his reign. There are behind the statue six stone columns standing in two rows, symbolizing the achievement made by the king.

Established: Oct. 9, 2009

Information of symbolic objects

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

This bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a great naval commander and strategist of mid Joseon who earned great victories at the Battles of Okpo, Hansando and Myeongnyang, is 17 meters in height (including a pedestal which is 10.5 meters in height). There are on the front of the pedestal lying two stone drums and on the pedestal a replica of the turtle-shaped battleship (Geobukseon). There are on both sides of the pedestal scenes of the Battle of Myeongnyang carved in relief. Around the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin are Myeongnyang Fountain and the Yi Sun-sin Monument.

Established: Apr. 27, 1968

Inscription of the Yi Sun-sin Monument

Stories of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin

There is on the rear side of the King Sejong’s statue the entrance to the exhibition hall of the King Sejong’s story. Visitors to the exhibitions of the stories of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin presented, respectively, at the hall built under the king’s statue using the old underpass and the basement of the Sejong Center building are offered the exciting stories about the lives and achievements made by two of the greatest heroes in Korean history.

The cube-shaped Media Glass installed at the entrance to the underground exhibition hall presents a collection of media art works created by a group of rising artists focusing on the achievements by King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin and Hangeul-related content.

Information
Admission Free
Hours 10 AM–6:30 PM (last admission 6 PM)
Closed on Mondays. (Please note that the exhibition hall is open on Monday if it is a public holiday, and closed on the first weekday after the holiday.)
Inquiries Sejong Center for the Performing Arts +82-2-399-1000
Website

Haechi Lounge

Birth of a public square for all This is Haechi Lounge.
It links Gwanghwamun Station and Gwanghwamun Square, and provides a venue for rest and meetings.

Internal facilities
Information desk, stairs for all, public lounge, soil horizon display
Restroom, children’s lounge, baby care room, elevator (Gwanghwamun Station ↔ Haechi Lounge)

Gwanghwamun Stairs

This stepped shelter is built on the ramp linking the interior of Haechi Lounge and Gwanghwamun Square.
Citizens visiting the place can have rest and enjoy videos under a tree shade.

Visual Media Wall

Visitors can enjoy a variety of video works screened on the wall of the Haechi Lounge ramp. The video works presented here are largely focused on the motif of Cheonjiin, or “Heaven, Earth and Humanity,” originated from the King Sejong’s love for his people. Of the works, those dealing with the theme of “human being” (人), such as “Aquarium” and “Poloraid,” are open to the visitors, expecting their participation.

Yukjo Yard

This space linked with Gwanghwamun Gate and Woldae symbolizes Yukjo Geori which contained offices of the key ministries of the government of Joseon. A spacious lawn was created to highlight the scenic beauty of Gwanghwamun Gate. The area around the lawn is paved with stone slabs, forming the traditional checkered floor. It is here at the Yukjo Yard that the History Waterway, consisting of stone slabs inscribed with Korean history from the foundation of the Joseon dynasty in 1392 to the present. Visitors may sit on the benches installed along the History Waterway and smell the fragrance of pine trees growing there, feeling the flow of history.

Facilities
Reproductions of old facilities (Samgunbu and Yejo), History Waterway (viewpoint), benches, and lawn

Event Area

The space between the King Sejong’s statue and the central stairway of Sejong Center provides a venue for various events. On both sides of the event area are benches installed for use by event participants for resting and refreshment.

Facilities
Seating Steps

Pine Garden

The first space that appears before the visitor after Jandi Yard is Pine Garden which remains green all four seasons. In the garden, pine trees are arranged at the entrance to the square, considering that pine has been loved by men of letters and artists. Here one can have fine views of Gwanghwamun Gate and Bugaksan Mountain seen through tall pine trees.

Species
Pine (from Gangneung, Gangwon-do)

Time Garden

The geological strata, Saheonbu site, drainage and well discovered during the rescue excavation of the site are tangible evidences of the Seoul’s long history

Facilities
Saheonbu Gate Site Exhibition Area and Wall Fountain
Species
Korean apricot, Korean maple, Korean Mountain Ash, Korean redbud, arrow wood, and winged spindle

Four Seasons Garden

Containing a lot of tree species native to Korea, this garden creates natural views uniquely Korean that change according to the change of four seasons. The flower beds built using long rectangular blocks of hewn stone, showing an inspiration from the “floral steps” in the palace gardens of Joseon, create a cozy, but exuberant, atmosphere.

Facilities
Benches and the traces of history paved
Species
Zelkova, three-flowered maple, mountain cherry, Korean apricot, Korean dogwood, Korean maple, giant dogwood, crape myrtle, Korean ash, mountain ash, bridal wreath, panicle hydrangea, sorbaria sorbifolia, pearl bush, and peony

Culture Garden

Located in front of Sejong Center, this garden can store daily activities occurred in the park. The garden contains a lot of oaks, one of the most commonly found tree species in the mountains across Korea, bridging the intimate natural views of Bugaksan Mountain with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun Square. There is under the trees of Culture Garden the Long Table, a comfortable resting place and “dining table set for all.”

Facilities
Long Table, Springwater Table, reproduction of archaeological features (Byeongjo site), bench, and drinking fountain
Species
Sweet oak, cork oak, saw-tooth oak, elm and snowbell.

Gathering Area

There is in this area a large tree creating a shade for people visiting it to have a rest. There is on the ground a design made by setting stones collected from all corners of Korea in the traditional "jogakbo" (patchwork) pattern.

Facilities
Reproduction of agricultural features (Byeongjo site), drinking fountain, tunnel fountain
Species
Korean hackberry, elm, gingko and horse chestnut

Forest Square

Located just off the busy Sejong-daero intersection, this green space with dense trees provides an attractive resting place. The refreshing green area is created by a fine mixture of the tall trees such as zelkova, elm and Korean hackberry with short trees and shrubs such as bluebird, Korean redbud and Korean weigela and tiny flowering plants.

Facilities
Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 7), drinking fountain
Species
Zelkova, Korean hackberry, elm, snowbell, horse chestnut, Korean maple, bluebird, Korean redbud and weigela

History Waterway

Gwanghwamun Square features a waterway of 630-year history flowing from 1392 when Joseon was founded. History Waterway originates from the Yukjo Yard located in front of the Government Seoul Complex and flows to cross the entire Gwanghwamun Square until reaching its destination at Hangeul Fountain.

If you walk along the waterway you can travel through the main events in Korean history as inscribed on stone slabs.

Wall Fountain

This water feature is designed to use the difference (1.2 m) between the levels of Gwanghwamun Square and the archaeological features to let water fall from the top of the wall, helping viewers feel the flow of time.

Spring Fountain

This spring fountain is a wading pool, a children’s playground conceived from the well discovered at the entrance to the Saheonbu site.

Springwater Table

It is a tiny, exquisite basin in the shape of a table where a view of a saw-tooth oak wood and sky is reflected on the surface of water.

Tunnel Fountain

This fountain symbolizes the rapid economic growth and prosperity Korea has been enjoying from its liberation from the Japanese colonial rule in 1945 to the re-opening of Gwanghwamun Square in 2022. There is under the Tunnel Fountain flowing the waterway of the Korean history of 77 years after its liberation from the Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

Hours
  • Apr–May & Sep–Oct: 10 AM–7:50 PM
  • Jun–Aug: 10 AM–8:50 PM
  • Closed on rainy/windy days.
Note
  • Do not drink fountain water.

  • Make sure to wear water shoes.

  • Do not use the fountain if you feel sick or have a symptom of diarrhea or a contagious skin disease.

  • Infants must wear swim diapers.

  • Do not urinate, defecate, or spit in the fountain.

  • No food and hazardous items (glass object, for example).

  • No pets allowed.

  • No running, jumping, or rough play.

Hangeul Fountain

The fountain is designed to create the symbols of the consonants and vowels of the Korean writing system which was created on the basis of the “Heaven, Earth and Humanity” principle. One can guess the Hangeul alphabets expressed by the fountain.

Hours
  • Apr–May & Sep–Oct: 10 AM–7:50 PM
  • Jun–Aug: 10 AM–8:50 PM
  • Closed on rainy/windy days.
Note
  • Do not drink fountain water.

  • Make sure to wear water shoes.

  • Do not use the fountain if you feel sick or have a symptom of diarrhea or a contagious skin disease.

  • Infants must wear swim diapers.

  • Do not urinate, defecate, or spit in the fountain.

  • No food and hazardous items (glass object, for example).

  • No pets allowed.

  • No running, jumping, or rough play.

Myeongnyang Fountain

This splash fountain symbolizes the naval battles won by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The 133 nozzles of the inner fountain represent the 133 Japanese battleships destroyed by the Joseon seamen led by the Admiral while the outer fountain represents the “crane wing formation” (Hagikjin) he used to strike the enemy fleet at the Battle of Hansando. The ground lighting on the front of the fountain is 15.45 meters long, marking the year 1545 when Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born.

Hours
  • Apr–May & Sep–Oct: 10 AM–7:50 PM
  • Jun–Aug: 10 AM–8:50 PM
  • Closed on rainy/windy days.
Note
  • Do not drink fountain water.

  • Make sure to wear water shoes.

  • Do not use the fountain if you feel sick or have a symptom of diarrhea or a contagious skin disease.

  • Infants must wear swim diapers.

  • Do not urinate, defecate, or spit in the fountain.

  • No food and hazardous items (glass object, for example).

  • No pets allowed.

  • No running, jumping, or rough play.

Saheonbu Gate Site

The exhibition of the Saheonbu Gate site has been formed to promote and share the value and meanings of a buried cultural heritage that had been excavated from the area. The location where the exhibition has been formed is where Saheonbu used to be situated. A drain system, well, walls around the building, site of the main gate, and traces of servant rooms were found in the area. The exhibition facility, built roughly 1.2 meters under the ground, features a roof line of the traditional Korean building and columns whose height and thickness are similar to those of the trees growing in the surrounding area. The exhibition facility has a vantage point from which one can enjoy a fine view of Gwanghwamun Gate seen between two columns.

Exhibition of Archaeological Features

In the Joseon period, the area of the present-day Gwanghwamun Square was occupied by the offices of key government agencies of Joseon. Of the discoveries, structural remains of the well and the gate of Saheonbu were exposed for the public display in situ while all other discoveries were backfilled and marked with above-ground representations designed to contain the traces of the Yukjo.

History information

Point 1, Yukjo Yard

Point 1 at the Yukjo Yard provides a fine view of the pine wood with Gwanghwamun Gate and Bugaksan Mountain combined with the paved ground of Gwanghwamun Square

Point 2, Statue of King Sejong

Point 2 at the statue of King Sejong, a landscape of the king’s statue, Gwanghwamun Gate and trees

Point 3, Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

Point 3 at the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a view of the entire square ranging from Myeongnyang Fountain and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin to Gwanghwamun Gate.

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