Gwanghwamun Plaza

By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin is still there, standing tall in the heart of Sejongno, Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul. Surrounding him, however, are not the multiple lanes of cars that used to drive past, but a carpet of flowers, a "Stream of History," a Haechi madang and an impressive fountain. Together they form a new landmark in Seoul ― Gwanghwamun Plaza.

The plaza was the widest swath of road in Seoul during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). It was where all the royal offices were located, and a place where the king, his vassals and his people mingled.

The carpet of flowers is located at the northern part of the plaza. Measuring 17.5 meters wide and 162 meters long, it presents 220,000 flowers symbolizing the 220,000 days from when Seoul became the capital of the Joseon Kingdom up to the opening of the plaza.

The waterway, 2 centimeters deep and about 1 meter across, runs for 365 meters along the plaza's east side. On its floor lie 617 stones recording with major events from the beginning of Joseon in 1392 through 2008.

The water fountain, called the "12.23 Fountain," consists of an 18-meter long jet and some 300 smaller jets. The figure "12.23" represents the admiral's feat during a 16th century war with Japan. The number "12" stands for the number of ships he used to defeat 133 Japanese warships, while "23" is a record of his string of undefeated battles. Some 250 meters from Admiral Yi's statue, a statue of King Sejong, the creator of the Korean alphabet, will be unveiled on Oct. 9, or Hangeul Day.

The Haechi madang exhibits the original Joseon-era Gwanghwamun street as well as other plazas of the world.

Seoulites and others, weary of the city's gray, can expect some respite at the plaza, which has returned, friendlier and more receptive.

shim@koreatimes.co.kr

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