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The central path to Sungnyemun (also known as Namdaemun or Great South Gate) in downtown Seoul will be open to the public starting March 3, for the first time in nearly 100 years.
The Jung-gu District Office announced Tuesday that the central path to Sungnyemun will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. The Sungnyemun Square was created last May, but entrance to the national treasure had been forbidden since 1907, when the occupying Japanese government regulated traffic by removing the fortress walls on both sides and putting in a road and streetcar line.
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Foreigners listen to an explanation about the central path to Seoul's Sungnyemun, also known as Namdaemun (Great South Gate), which will open to the public on Friday, 99 years after Japanese occupiers closed it off.
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The district office also re-enacts a changing of the guard ceremony in which the three palace guards are replaced every 30 minutes, following the tradition of the Chosun era. The ceremony takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. everyday. In addition, patrol marches will take place between the Daehan gate of Deoksu Palace, where the changing of the palace commander of guards ceremony is held three times a day (10:30,1:30, 3:00), and Sungnyemun Square, where the changing of the guard ceremonies are held.
The Jung-gu Office plans to operate a program which will station guides to provide detailed information on the history of Sungnyemun every Saturday and Sunday in cooperation with the city of Seoul.
(englishnews@Chosun.com )
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