Based on paintings made before the Japanese invasions of Korea, it is presumed that in the early Joseon Dynasty it was a square-shaped gate tower with a rectangular entrance.
Rebuilt by Daewongun at the end of the Joseon Dynasty
The main gate at the Joseon Industrial Exhibition in 1915
The Government General Building behind Gwanghwamun is almost completed.
Woldae was demolished around 1923
Geonchunmun Gate relocated to the north in 1927
The main gate at the 1929 Joseon Expo
Destroyed due to the bombing of the Korean War on 6.25, with only the stonework remaining.
Restored with concrete in 1968
The stone part makes the most of existing remaining materials.
After the demolition of the Government General Building in 1996
Demolition began at the end of 2006 to correct the twisted axis.
There was also a restoration plan at this time for Woldae, but it was canceled due to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's actions due to traffic congestion issues.
Gwanghwamun returned to its original location in 2010
In 2023, restoration will be completed, including the new signboard in line with historical research and the woldae, which were canceled during the restoration in 2006.