Gwanghwamun's 'woldae' opens to public after restoration

A ritual stage, or “woldae,” is seen in front of Gyeongbok Palace’s Gwanghwamun gate in central Seoul, Sunday, during its public opening after restoration work was completed. The terrace for public rituals and ceremonies had been used by kings during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty until it was removed during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation, and its restoration was completed nearly a century later. Newsis

A long-since-vanished terrace for public rituals and ceremonies in front of Gyeongbok Palace’s Gwanghwamun gate was restored and opened to the public, Sunday, nearly a century after being removed during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial period.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) held a ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square to mark the completion of the restoration of the ceremonial stage, called "woldae."

Woldae is the stone-built ritual stage used by kings of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, and the one at Gwanghwamun is believed to have been established during the reign of King Sejong (1418-50). But it was reportedly reconstructed in 1867 during the King Gojong era, centuries after Gyeongbok Palace had been burned down during the Japanese invasions in the 1590s.

A new signboard for Gyeongbok Palace's Gwanghwamun gate, featuring its name in golden letters on a black background, is unveiled to the public during a ceremony in central Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

But the woldae was destroyed in 1923 during the Japanese occupation, and streetcar tracks were laid down in the area.

The ceremonial stage is about 49 meters long, 30 meters wide and 70 centimeters high. At its heart lies “eodo,” a 7-meter-wide path dedicated exclusively to kings. It was also a place where they interacted with the people and foreign envoys.

During the opening ceremony, Gwanghwamun gate's new signboard was also unveiled. The previous signboard showed the name of Gwanghwamun in black letters against a white backdrop, but the new version features golden letters on a black background.

A new signboard on Gyeongbok Palace's Gwanghwamun gate, featuring its name in golden letters on a black background, is unveiled to the public during a ceremony in central Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

“Gwanghwamun may look quite different right now, but this is what it was actually like in the past,” Choi Eung-chon, head of the CHA, said in his commemorative speech. “As you walk around the woldae and watch Gwanghwamun, please also take a look at its new signboard that has been restored to its original form. I would appreciate if you would think about the tremendous efforts and time it requires to revive a damaged cultural heritage site.”

Historically, the woldae was a place where the king would communicate directly with the people. "I hope the reconstructed woldae can inherit this value and play the same role," Choi said. "Restoring a cultural legacy is about not just bringing back its original form, but also reviving its value and spirit.”

The ceremony, which was joined by 500 citizens, also delivered an eye-catching mapping project portraying Gwanghwamun under the themes of connection, communication and creation. Shin Hee-kweon, a history professor at the University of Seoul, regaled participants with stories about the iconic gate.

“We will continue working hard to make Gyeongbok Palace a landmark of K-tourism, while presenting the architectural, historical, social and economic value of Gwanghwamun,” the CHA said.

A media facade displaying the Korean national flag and national flowers is projected onto Gyeongbok Palace’s Gwanghwamun gate in central Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

The restoration of the woldae ― also part of Seoul City’s Gwanghwamun Square rerenovation project ― is expected to enhance the historical identity of the place and attract visitors with diverse content highlighting its extensive history and culture, it said.

“The woldae and Gwanghwamun are a set,” said Hong Seung-jae, chief of the royal palaces and tombs subcommittee under the Cultural Heritage Committee. “The woldae’s restoration will link Gwanghwamun and Yukjo Street in front of the gate ― where Joseon’s central government offices were located ― thereby reviving the central axis of our old capital. It will turn into a symbolic space that everyone can be proud of.”