Situated in the center of Sejongno (street), the Gwanghwamun Square is a public square, connecting the Sejongno intersection with Cheonggye Plaza from Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu District, Seoul.
Sejongno, once called Yukjo Street in the Joseon Dynasty, used to be the center of politics and administration back then but until recently, the street had been covered with asphalt for motorists only. Thus, the city government restored Sejongno to the previous Yukjo Street under the Gwanghwamun Restoration Project, turning it to a space for pedestrians where the people can overlook magnificent views around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bugaksan Mountain. This reconstruction project had lasted for 15 months and eventually, Gwanghwamun Square was opened to the citizens on 1 August 2009.
The Gwanghwamun Square, measuring 34 meters wide and 557 meters long, is divided into several places and each place is named respectively as , , , , and .
What’s more in the case that large events take place, the square can be extended to the roads on both sides, which have a total of ten lanes, aside from its dedicated open space.
What’s more in the case that large events take place, the square can be extended to the roads on both sides, which have a total of ten lanes, aside from its dedicated open space.