The Hanyangdoseong Museum, a branch of the Seoul Museum of History, has launched a special exhibition titled The Lost Gate of Hanyangdoseong: Soeui-mun. Running until March 9, 2024, the exhibit delves into the history of the once-prominent Soeui-mun gate, which was part of Seoul’s historic city walls, first constructed in 1396.

Soeui-mun, originally known as So Deok-mun served as a key southwestern passage in the Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall). In 1744, its name was officially changed to Soeui-mun, though it was commonly referred to by its nickname, Seosomun. The gate was located between Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) and Donuimun and played a vital role in transportation and logistics during the Joseon Dynasty.

This exhibition sheds light on the historical significance of Soeui-mun, which functioned as a gateway for trade and transport, linking Seoul to the Han River and key routes such as Uiju Road and Ganghwa Road. It also served, alongside Gwanghui-mun, as a passage for transferring bodies outside the city.

In 1914, Soeui-mun was demolished during Japan’s colonial rule as part of urban restructuring initiatives led by the Governor-General of Korea. The project aimed to reorganize Seoul’s cityscape into a grid-like structure, and the gate was deemed expendable. Its removal marked the loss of a critical piece of Hanyangdoseong’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The exhibition is housed in the second-floor special exhibition hall of the Hanyangdoseong Museum. Visitors can view artifacts, historical documents, and interactive displays that reconstruct the story of Soeui-mun and its surrounding areas. Admission is free, and the museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, with closures on Mondays.

Director Choi Byung-gu of the Seoul Museum of History remarked, “This exhibition offers an opportunity to rediscover the lost gate of Hanyangdoseong, Soeui-mun, and the history of its surrounding area. We hope it inspires greater appreciation for Seoul’s cultural and historical legacy.”

By revisiting the story of Soeui-mun, the exhibition highlights the dynamic history of Hanyangdoseong, once a vital part of Seoul’s identity, and encourages renewed interest in preserving what remains of the city’s architectural heritage.

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com