Former Capitol Hall and Gwanghwamun Gate

During the Japanese occupation period, the Japanese Government-General building was seated where today’s Gwanghwamun Gate is. After Gyeongsul Gukchi in 1910, Japan established an administrative system to colonize and govern Joseon, and a governor-general was appointed to oversee the system to begin colonization.

In 1916, Japan relocated Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, to destroy the spirit and culture of Joseon people, and demolished its walls and structures to construct the government-general building. Completed in 1926, the government-general became the symbol of imperialistic colonization that completely concealed Gyeongbokgung from people's sight.

After Liberation in 1945, the U.S. military came into Seoul and used this place as the military government office. Upon their return to Korea, President Kim Gu and Dr. Rhee Syngman continued to discuss with the U.S. Military on the establishment of a government, and, as a result, an independent government of South Korea was founded. The South Korean government used this place as the Capitol administrative office that housed the presidential office and other administrative departments.

Then, starting in 1986, the administrative departments were moved out as the building was considered to be a symbol of Japanese imperialistic invasion so, instead, the National Museum of Korea became the tenant. In 1993, discussions began to take place regarding demolition of the building, which eventually started to be torn down in 1995, the 50th anniversary of the Liberation. Then, in November 1996, it was completely demolished to disappear into history. The demolition of the Capitol was broadcast live on TV nationwide.

Once the Capitol was gone, the original owners, Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung, returned to this place. Since its return to the Korean people, Gwanghwamun continues to be with us as important cultural heritage that symbolizes our history and culture.