Description of the attraction
The Sukyongmun Gate, also called the North Gate, is one of the four Great Gates of the wall that surrounded Seoul during the Joseon era. The gate was built in 1396 in the northern part of the city, behind the Gyeongbokgung palace complex, where the royal family lived. The second name of the gate is Bukdamun, which means "the great northern gate".
Initially, once the gate was built, it was called Sukchongmun. Later, at the beginning of the 16th century, the gate was called Sukyongmun, which means "the gate of solemn customs." Since the gates were located next to the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung, they were rarely open to visitors, they were mainly used in some kind of ceremonies. There is an assumption that the gates were closed due to the belief that if they were opened, then an evil spirit would penetrate into the city. The room above the palace gates was built of wood and, unfortunately, was destroyed by fire. The room above the gate, which we see today, was built in 1976.
After the DPRK intelligence agents attempted to assassinate Park Chung-hee, President of the Republic of South Korea in 1968, the gate and the surrounding area were blocked for security reasons. Disguised agents then tried to pass through this gate and enter the Blue House, the official residence of the President of South Korea, but the attempt was prevented.
The Sukyongmun Gate again became accessible for visits only in 2007. However, the area remains a well-guarded area, which is patrolled by soldiers of the South Korean army. Today, in order to visit the gate, visitors need to present their passport and fill out a special form. Photography near the gate and the gate itself is prohibited.
