Welcome to Gwanghwamun Gate, the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. As the king always sat facing the south during Joseon Dynasty, it is also defined and used as the main gate as well. The gate was originally called Sajeongmun Gate, but was renamed as Gwanghwamun Gate, meaning “the King’s virtuous light shines on the nation.”

The Gwanghwamun Gate has been repaired and reconstructed multiple times. After the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, the gate was rebuilt for the first time in 1864. It was moved north of the palace's eastern gate in the 1950s after being destroyed again by a series of damages sustained under Japanese colonial rule. Until 1968, it was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete, but it was still shifted a few meters from its original location. Through extensive restoration work, the Gwanghwamun Gate was returned to its original form and location in 2006.

The central arch of the two-story Gwanghwamun Gate was reserved for the King, while the two side entrances were used by his subjects, including Chinese envoys and royal families. In front of the gate are two statues of Haechi, a lion-like creature that serves as a protector from fire, disasters, and evil spirits in Korean mythology. In the Joseon Dynasty, it is said that the Haechi motivated and reminded the officials to make decisions and act in a fair and equitable manner whenever they were on their way to the palace. On the ceiling of the central gate, there is a picture of Jujak painted to protect the gate which is a phoenix in Korean myths, whereas, on the ceiling of the arches on both sides, there are pictures of a tortoise bearing the Luo River Inscription on the left and the horse bearing the Yellow River Chart on the right.

The Gwanghwamun Gate's upper section housed a bell and drum that were used to signal the time and deliver important announcements during the Joseon Dynasty. South of the road, in what is now Seoul City Hall but was formerly the Hanseong City Administration, were governmental buildings. Yukjo Geori, or "Six Ministry Street," was the name given to this street. It was a hub of activity and exchanging information.