North Gate of Kyongbok Palace Opens for First Time in 45 Years


By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter


President Roh Moo-hyun, center, Cultural Heritage Adminstration Director Yoo Hong-joon, left, and Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Myong-gon, right, walk through ``Sinmumun,'' the north gate of Kyongbok Palace in downtown Seoul, Friday. Originally constructed in 1433, it was named by King Songjong in 1475. The name is a form of the Chinese character for ``hyonmu,'' meaning a mythical animal guarding the north. The gate had been kept closed since the May 16 military coup in 1961. Korea Times

One of the four main gates of Kyongbok Palace in downtown Seoul has opened to the public for the first time in 45 years.

The Cultural Heritage Administration yesterday said that it is allowing citizens to visit ``Sinmumun,'' the north gate of the royal palace from the Choson Kingdom (1392-1910).

The late President Park Chung-hee shut down Sinmumun in 1961 after the May 16 military coup when a military unit resided in the palace.

It was originally constructed in 1433 by King Sejong, along with the three other major gates _ ``Kwanghwamun'', or the main entrance gate located in the south, ``Konchunmun,'' the east gate, and ``Yongchumun,'' the west gate.

The name Sinmumun was given to the gate by King Songjong in 1475. The name is a combined form of the Chinese character for ``hyonmu,'' meaning a mythical animal guarding the north.

However, the gate was ruined when the palace was burned down during the Imjin War following the Japanese invasion of the peninsula in 1592. Later, the gate was restored when King Kojong reconstructed the palace in 1865.

The administration intends to apply to UNESCO to designate the area around the palace as a historic city or district. Around 130 cities around the world have won this designation _ Kyongju in South Kyongsang Province is the only Korean city with the title.

President Roh Moo-hyun and first lady Kwon Yang-suk participated in the opening ceremony.

The opening was part of a program to give citizens more chances to visit historical sites, starting from the opening of ``Sukjongmun'' last April. Sukjongmun is one of old Seoul's four main gates, located in Mt. Pugak, right behind Chong Wa Dae, the presidential office.

``The gate had long been off limits for security reasons over the last 45 years, because it faces the main gate of Chong Wa Dae. But as President Roh Moo-hyun insisted the gate should be opened up to share its historical and cultural significance along with beautiful natural backgrounds with the public, we decided to open it up,'' an administration official said.

The administration said that visitors are allowed to walk along the walls of the palace including Sukjongmun on Mt. Pugak.



chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
09-29-2006 18:36