Expansion and Revitalization through Redevelopment of the Outdated Sejongno Park
Creation of a Gratitude Symbolic Sculpture Honoring Sacrifices for Freedom
Integrated Design Competition from the 27th... Announcement in January 2025
Seoul City is accelerating the reorganization of Gwanghwamun Square. The plan is to expand the insufficient food and beverage facilities and citizen rest lounges in Gwanghwamun Square while creating the area as a space of gratitude for the sacrifices made for freedom in the Republic of Korea.
On the 26th, Seoul City announced that starting from the 27th, it will begin an integrated design competition for Sejongno Park and the symbolic sculpture, receiving proposals from various domestic and international experts.
Sejongno Park, adjacent to Gwanghwamun Square, is a park created above an underground parking lot completed in 1992, but it is now aging and used as a material warehouse. This project is conceptualized as an expansion of Gwanghwamun Square to Sejongno Park, which is expected to increase citizen usage space. Currently, Gwanghwamun Square covers an area of 34,484㎡, and Sejongno Park covers 8,768㎡. After the expansion, Gwanghwamun Square will be 43,252㎡, increasing citizen usage space by more than 25%.
At the center of the expanded space, a symbolic sculpture will be created under the theme of "Gratitude for Sacrifices for Freedom." Seoul City has conducted public opinion collection and citizen surveys regarding the creation of the symbolic sculpture. As a result of the public opinion collection, concerns such as disharmony with the landscape and interference with the use of the square were actively reflected in the design competition guidelines.
According to the citizen survey results, opinions on the facility creation were 49.5% in favor and 42.6% opposed. However, when asked whether efforts by the government and local governments are necessary to remember the sacrifices and dedication of the youth from 22 countries who participated in the Korean War, 79.2% responded that such efforts are necessary.
Seoul City will accept submissions until December 20th, starting with the announcement of the design competition. After the submission deadline, technical reviews and two rounds of judging will be conducted, and the final winning design will be announced in January next year. On October 10th, a site briefing session will be held for participants in the design competition to explain the significance and specific details of the competition.
After the design competition, basic and detailed designs will begin in January next year, followed by the start of full-scale construction in May 2025, and completion in May 2027, transforming the area into a true citizen space. The symbolic sculpture is scheduled to be completed in September 2025. Kim Seung-won, head of Seoul City's Balanced Development Headquarters, said, "We hope that through this design competition, Gwanghwamun Square will become the most proud representative space for Seoul citizens and a must-visit attraction for foreigners visiting Seoul."
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