Gwanghwamun Square is Seoul’s grand civic space, stretching south from Gwanghwamun Gate along Sejong-daero. With the gate and mountain slopes behind it, the square brings the city’s royal past into view amid the traffic and towers of its modern centre. A major redesign completed in 2022 widened the pedestrian area and added gardens, water features and places to pause.
The avenue follows a route that was central to the Joseon Dynasty, when government ministries stood near the palace. Two monumental statues anchor the square today: King Sejong the Great, who commissioned the creation of hangul, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, celebrated for his naval victories against Japanese invasions in the late 16th century. Beneath the square, exhibitions about both figures offer a closer look at their legacies.
Gwanghwamun Square is also a place of contemporary political memory. It was a focal point of the 2016–2017 candlelight protests that preceded President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment. Visit for the palace views and seasonal fountains, but stay long enough to notice how this public space connects Seoul’s history with its civic life today.
The square is free to visit and easily reached from Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5; Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 is also within walking distance. Check exhibition opening hours if you plan to go underground, and expect the fountains to operate seasonally. It’s easy to combine a stroll with Gyeongbokgung Palace, though the palace is normally closed on Tuesdays.