By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter



Sukchongmun, or Puktaemun (North Gate), in Songbuk-dong, Seoul, will open to the public next year.

Sukchongmun, the northern of the four major gates in Seoul set up in each of the four directions, will be open to the public for the first time since 1968.
The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday that the gate, which is also known as Puktaemun (North Gate), will be opened to the public beginning in April next year after renovations are complete. The gate is currently blocked off because of security concerns as it is close to the presidential house of Chong Wa Dae.

Sukchongmun is located behind Chong Wa Dae in Songbuk-dong, on the east ridge of Mt. Pukhan, but it was originally built due north by Taejo, the first king of the Choson Kingdom, when he built the new capital, now Seoul.

But it was closed in 1413 along with Sodaemun (Tonuimun) or West gate, after Cho Yang-sun, renowned scholar of the theory of division based on topography, argued that it blocked the energy of Kyongbok Palace where the kings lived.

In 1504, the main gate of Sukchongmun was moved east to the current location. The walls and the tower gate were rebuilt in 1976 as part of the government’s restoration of the city’s fortresses.

Visits to Sukchongmun will be allowed only in tour groups of 50 people three times a day. Advance reservations will be required for the tour.

Of the four gates, only Sungnyemun, better known as Namdaemun (South Gate), and Hunginmun, or Tongdaemun (East Gate), are open to the public.

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