Now, we’re at our final stop of Jongno Modern Trail Course 10, Trail of History: Gwanghwamun Square. We departed from the Five Floodgates and met Chun Tae-il when we reached here. We experienced the bustling Gwangjang Market, and saw Sewoon Arcade, the light and shadow of modern Korean society, Supyogyo Bridge and Gwangtonggyo Bridge that represent the history of the Cheonggyecheon Stream and a part of contemporary Korean history, and the Samil Building that represents the developed Seoul. Also, we traveled back in time at the Monument for the 40th Anniversary of King Gojong's Enthronement.

I wonder what you thought of the trail. Perhaps you thought that, since it's called Trail of History, it will be a trail that introduces history in chronological order or at least with a singular theme. But it wasn’t like that. We jumped through time and encountered many differently themed and characterized historical heritages and sites. Perhaps you cannot recall a singular image of it. Perhaps the Cheonggyecheon Stream is what binds them all together.

Now, look at Gwanghwamun Square and its surroundings. It’ll be difficult to define it with one thing, even in the present day. Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the excavation site of Uijeongbu, General Yi Sun-shin, Sejong the Great who created Hangeul, and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, various government office buildings, hotels, and office buildings of diverse companies.

Put them together, and you have Korean history. Close your eyes and imagine 1394, when the Joseon Dynasty was founded, and Hanyang was chosen to be the capital city. The palace sprouts up, and the Joseon Dynasty government office buildings, Yukjo, form a street. The desolation after wars like the , Japanese Invasion of Joseon in 1592 and the Qing Invasion of Joseon in 1636 after a period of peace, and King Yeongjo’s procession to the destitute Gyeongbokgung Palace. Six government offices hurriedly moving around, and officers of Hanseongbu Office. The restored Gyeongbokgung Palace and Donghak devotees and scholars that came to complain of injustices they experienced, various snapshots of the modern era and the Japanese Government-General of Korea building towering before Gyeongbokgung Palace. And the Japanese Government-General of Korea being torn down.

Now, put a halt on your imagination and look at Gwanghwamun Square again. It is not easy to combine all these layers of history into one story. Jongno is truly a space that has countless layers of time. Upon it, the lives of many souls are left like fine embroidery.

Jongno is like a thick history book. On this trail, we only explored the modern and contemporary parts of it, the very end of the book. We found out about some of its history, but we’ll have to look for another opportunity for the rest. Of course, if you want, we can bring you any theme and period of history. That is what Jongno is.

Gwanghwamun Square was the center of the Joseon Dynasty, and it still is the heart of South Korea. It was the center of Hanyang, a city surrounded by the mountains of Baegak, Inwang, Naksan, and Mokmyeok Mountains, and Hanyang gave birth to Seoul. At the very least, it is the central space for the history that spans from the Joseon Dynasty to Korean Empire, and the Republic of Korea.

Now, look at the square again. Find nature that has existed long before man-made things. You will see Inwangsan Mountain, Baegaksan Mountain, and Bukansan Mountain in the distance and spaces inside them. It is the center of 600 years of history, and the history of the past 150 years. You are standing in a special place like that.

Now, we must wrap up the 10 courses of Jongno Modern Trail. You began your journey at Course 1, departing Segeomjeong Pavilion Site and finishing at , Changuimun Gate, Mugyewon. Course 2 started at Yun Dongju Literary Museum and ended at Baewha Women's University and Hwanghakjeong Archery Range. Course 3 took you from Dilkusha to Donuimun Museum Village. Course 4 began at the Site of Bang Jeonghwan’s Birthplace and the Site of the Korean Language Society. Course 5 started at the Constitutional Court of Korea and finished at Bukchon Hanok Village after passing the Foundry of Joseon-Dynasty Arsenal. Course 6 began at Choongang High School and finished at Tapgol Park. Course 7 began at Tapgol Park and took you to in front of Danseongsa Movie Theatre, the old Site of the Left Podocheong. Course 8 began at Daehan Hospital and ended at the old Daehak-ro Main Street. Course 9 took you from Ihwa-dong from Dongmyo and Nam June Paik Memorial House. And the final course 10 which began at the Five Floodgates and ended here at Gwanghwamun Square. Through these courses, you walked Jongno's streets with colorful guides.

What a long and arduous journey. Thank you for visiting all the 10 courses of Jongno Modern Trail. I hope to see you again soon.

A healthy and peaceful life to you, until we meet again. Thank you.