Souimun Explained

37.5623°N 126.9717°W

Hangul:소의문
Rr:Souimun
Mr:Soŭimun

Souimun (;[1] also known as Southwest Gate) was one of the Eight Gates of Seoul in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea, which surrounded the city in the Joseon Dynasty. It was also known as Seosomun . During the early years of Japanese occupation, the gate was demolished. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has placed a marker roughly where the gate once stood.

History

Souimun was originally built in 1396. The Japanese authorities had the gate torn down in 1914 during their colonial rule of the country.

Commemoration

A memorial marker has been erected near to where Souimun once stood. It is located next to a multi-storey car park structure, which is adjacent to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper building on Seosomun-ro (street), in Jung-gu (district), in Seoul.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Gates and Walls of Seoul . Korean News Today.