Seoul to restore Joseon Dynasty era gate by 2013

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- Seoul plans to restore by 2013 one of four great gates
that once surrounded the city, almost a century after it was removed during
Japan's colonial rule, city officials said Wednesday.

Doneuimun Gate, also dubbed "Seodaemun" which literally means "Great West Gate,"
is located in the west of the city. It was removed in 1915 by the Japanese
government, which said at the time that the area was needed for railroad
development.
Among the four gates built into the wall surrounding the Joseon Dynasty
(1392-1910) capital, then known as Hanyang, only Dongdaemun (great east gate) and
Bukdaemun (Great North Gate) survive intact, while Namdaemun (Great South Gate)
is currently being restored. Seodaemun was originally constructed in 1396 during
the King Taejo period.
The city plans to restore the gate to its original size -- 12 meters high and 12
meters wide -- and in its original location through detailed research, taking
down an old roadway in central Seoul by 2011 for the project, according to a
press release issued by the city government.
"With the restoration of the gate, Seoul city's ancient citadel will again be
complete," said Kwon Hyuk-soo, head of Seoul City's culture bureau. "Once the
castle is restored, the city will be given enhanced cultural competitiveness with
the old and new co-existing."
Seoul plans to establish a 16,666 square-meter historical park near the restored
gate, creating a cultural hub linking the four main gates.
Once the gate and Seoul city citadel are restored, the city plans to register
cultural assets near the area, including Bukhansanseong Fortress, with UNESCO's
World Cultural Heritage list, officials said.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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