Gwanghwamun Square

This square stretching before Gyeongbokgung's main gate is the heart of modern Seoul and, at once, a tribute to two of the most Korean of figures — King Sejong, creator of Hangul, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, hero of the Imjin War — whose statues stand side by side. A major 2022 renovation roughly doubled the square, adding a large fountain and greenery.

Underneath lie exhibition halls on Sejong's and Yi's achievements, while the square itself hosts rallies, festivals, and cultural events, making it a symbolic site of modern Korean democracy.

Honest tips: weekends, especially Sunday afternoons, often see rallies that can restrict access, so checking the news helps. The best photo framing looks from King Sejong's statue toward Gyeongbokgung, or during the fountain shows. Gwanghwamun station is a one-minute walk, and Sejong Center, Gyeongbokgung, and Cheonggye Stream are all reachable on foot, making it an ideal hub for a downtown route.