Seoul to Hold Historic Walking Tour Program

Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) on Wednesday announced that it will conduct a historic walking tour program to showcase the Korean Empire, which the Joseon Kingdom named itself for higher international status.

In an article, Korea Times mentioned that the SMG would open the 2.6km Korean Empire Trail on courses around the neighborhood that surround the Deoksu Palace, Jeongdon.

Deoksu Palace was the main office and residence for King Gojong who proclaimed the Korean Empire on October 12, 1897. There are around 20 major historic landmarks related to the short-lived "empire" and modern culture at that time that remain within the vicinity.

During a ceremony to commence the project, Mayor Park Won Soon said, "This is an important step to revisit Gojong's legacy. Also, the trail provides the opportunity to go back to one of the most turbulent times in Korean history and understand who we are."

The trail will be categorized into five routes. The first route will start in front of the Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea. An underground museum and a public square will also open there. The other course will feature former Deoksu Palace premises including the former Russian legation where the king lived in hiding for one year.

The third course will have the first Western-style girls school, Ewha Girls'High School, and Chungdong First Methodist Church. The last course will reach the Daehan Gate of the Deoksu Palace. Gwangmu Observatory will be built on the top floor of a building in the Seosomun annex where the palace can be viewed.

Another route will cover Hwangudan altar. This was where King Gojong carried out a ritual as part of the empire proclamation ceremony. The altar cannot be seen because of its location between big hotels, but the city government opened a crosswalk that connects the altar with Seoul Plaza.

An official said, "Many Koreans view King Gojong as a failed leader who gave his country to the Japanese. Yet, some dispute the assessment, claiming that he was the first leader to give his people power and that he made every diplomatic effort to keep the empire independent from Japan."