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Lights brighten the restoration of long castle wall built in 1396

Published: 14 Mar. 2008, 22:07

The illuminated Seoul Seonggwak: A castle wall built during Taejo’s reign in the Joseon period, near the Namsan area in central Seoul. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan City

Seoul Seonggwak, the 18.2 kilometer (11.3 mile) long castle wall built in 1396 that now surrounds the seven gates in central Seoul, is being restored.
The seven gates are Changuimun, Sukjeongmun, Hyehwamun, Heunginjimun, Gwanghuimun, Sungnyemun, Souimun and Donuimun. (Mun means gate in Korean.)
The Seoul Metropolitan government has been installing light fixtures around the castle wall.
As part of the project, 467 light installments have been set up around the Namsan district as of last Tuesday.
The lighting is installed around the castle wall that surrounds the National Theater of Korea, Palgak Pavilion and the Namsan Public Library.
The lighting begins from sunset to midnight everyday.
Currently, night lights have already been installed in Seongbuk, Gwanghui, Dongsung and Namsan section, all in central Seoul.
The lighting illuminates 4.249 kilometers of the total wall length.
Lights will also be installed in the Samseon area as well as in Cheongun, Samcheong and Jangchung.
Apart from the installment of the lights, 10.56 kilometers of the castle wall that were destroyed or had eroded over time have been restored.
The work provides some pleasant historical viewing for residents meandering through the city.
“With the night lights installed around central Seoul, the view will provide a great joy to citizens,” said Bae Min-ho, the Seoul City equipment chief.
“It will help attract more tourists to the city,” Bae added.

By Joo Jung-wan JoongAng Ilbo [[email protected]]