Independence Gate, Historic gate in Cheonyeon-dong, South Korea
Independence Gate is a portal in Hyeonjeo-dong, South Korea, that rises from an open square with paved paths and small green spaces. The passageway no longer leads to a road but opens onto a park where visitors can view the monument from different angles.
Construction took place from 1897 to 1898 when the country reshaped its diplomatic relations and ended former tributary obligations. Previously, a gate stood at this site that served exclusively for receiving Chinese envoys.
The name of the gate refers to the self-determination the country sought after centuries of tributary relations with its neighbor. Today, school groups and families come here to visit the site where important diplomatic changes found expression.
The gate stands near Dongnimmun Station on Line 3, so visitors can reach it after a short walk. The best time to come is in the morning or afternoon when sunlight evenly illuminates the stone surface.
The design follows a plan that a Korean architect created while collaborating with Western engineers, which was unusual at the time. Some of the blocks carry inscriptions that become visible only upon closer inspection.
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