Independence Gate
| Independence Gate | |
| Hangul | 독립문 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Dongnimmun |
| McCune–Reischauer | Tongnimmun |
Dongnipmun Gate (Independence Gate) was constructed in 1898 through the initiative of Dr. So Jae-pil. It was built on the site of Yongunmun Gate, which had been the symbol for the submissive diplomacy of Korea. With a desire towards inspiring the spirit of independence, Yongunmun Gate was demolished and in its place, Dongnimmun Gate, resembling Paris' Arch of Triumph, was built. In 1979, Dongnipmun Gate was moved 70 meters northwest of the original site due to construction of Seongsandae-ro Road.
Together with the nearby Dongnimmun, Independence Hall was a symbol of Korea's spirit of anti-foreign encroachment and national independence toward the end of the Joseon period. The building was originally called Mohwagwan and was used for entertaining Chinese emissaries. But it was renovated and renamed Independence Hall by So Jae-pil and his Dongnip Hyeopae (Independence Club) after the reform of 1894 (Gabo Gyeongjang).
It was used for patriotic forums to promote national independence, self-reliance, and rights of the people until it was razed by the Japanese. The original hall was a one-story building in a traditional Korean architectural style. It stood about 350 meters southwest from the current building's location. The present building was built by the Seoul City Government between December 1995 and December 1996. Construction was based on historical information, but with the addition of an underground floor. Memorial tablets of Koreans who gave their lives fighting for Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule are enshrined on the ground floor where there is also an exhibition hall. The underground floor holds various events and is used as storage for historic relics. Nearby is Seodaemun Prison.[1] [2]