Seoul Plaza (Korean: 서울광장) is a central plaza located in front of Seoul City Hall at Taepyeongno, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. It was reopened on 1 May 2004, by Seoul Metropolitan Government, with the purpose of providing the public an open space. It is part of the city's plans for environmentally friendly renovation projects such as the Cheonggye Stream and Gwanghwamun Plaza.[2]
Seoul Plaza | |
|---|---|
| Public square | |
| Korean transcriptions | |
| Hangul | 서울광장 |
| Hanja | 서울廣場 |
| Revised Romanization | Seoul gwangjang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏul kwangjang |
 View of Seoul Plaza
 | |
| Features | fountain, ice rink[1] |
| Opening date | May 1, 2004 |
| Area | 3,995 pyeong (1.321 ha)[1] |
| Surface | grass |
| Owner | Seoul Metropolitan Government |
| Location | Taepyeongno, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea |
| Coordinates: 37°33′56″N 126°58′41″E / 37.56556°N 126.97806°E | |
Description
editThe site was originally a traffic square with a 40-year-old fountain that was demolished and the nearby space was renovated.[1] Seoul Plaza is elliptical in shape, covering 3,995 pyeong (13,207 m2) in total and 1,904 pyeong (6,294 m2) for grass area. An underground water tank was installed along with 48 lighting around the grass square.[3] The underground tank stores rain water for use in the sprinklers on the lawn.[1]
The plaza has been the site of protests against US beef imports in South Korea,[4][5] and Korea Queer Culture Festival. The plaza was also the Starting Line of The Amazing Race Australia 4.[6]
Administration
editAs of 1 June 2011, the Plaza along with Gwanghwamun Plaza are designated as smoke-free zones by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Smokers are fined ₩100,000 in violation.[7][8]
Every winter since 2004, the Plaza has hosted an open air ice-rink from mid-December to February the following year,[9] following which are replaced with green lawn and the fountain operational again.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d 서울광장 Seoul Plaza (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
- ^ Hoh, Kui-Seek (3 August 2009). "The road less travelled, by cars". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Seoul Plaza". Life in Korea. Retrieved 2008-05-07.[dead link]
- ^ Kim, Rahn (15 June 2008). "Seoul Plaza Suffering Under Mass Rallies". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ "Protests Against U.S. Beef Imports Transforms into a Huge Festival". The Hankyoreh. Jun 7, 2008. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ "The Amazing Race Interactive Map". 10play. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ Lee, Ji-yoon (3 June 2011). "Smoking ban at Seoul squares effective". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Smokers in Seoul Plazas Face Steep Fines". The Chosun Ilbo. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ^ "Seoul Plaza Skating Rink to Open Friday". The Chosun Ilbo. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ^ "Seoul Plaza Gets Verdant Makeover". The Chosun Ilbo. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
External links
edit
Media related to Seoul Plaza at Wikimedia Commons