On October 15, Gwanghwamun's wall stand and plaque were restored. In order to announce and commemorate the completion of the restoration of Woldae and the signboard, which had been promoted since 'Rediscovering Gwanghwamun's original appearance' in 2006, an event was held with the slogan 'Gwanghwamun Woldae New Gil'. Stories related to Gwanghwamun were shared, and a 'Gwanghwa Light' lighting ceremony, opening ceremony, and parade were held.
Woldae was the passage through which the king and royal family entered and exited Gwanghwamun of Gyeongbokgung Palace when holding ceremonies or making a visit. High stands were built on both sides to express majesty. Woldae was destroyed in 1923 during the Japanese colonial period to build a tram track to transport audiences while holding the 'Joseon Side Industry Fair'.
A statue of an auspicious animal, called Xisui, was installed in front of the Yudae fishway. It was part of the late Lee Kun-hee's collection of relics, but it was confirmed to be a decoration from Woldae and was donated by the Samsung family.
When the concrete building was restored in 1968, President Park Chung-hee's handwriting was written on it. When it was restored in 2010, it was replaced due to concerns that the surface of the new signboard was cracked and distorted and that the background color was incorrect.
According to historical research, the letters on the Gwanghwamun restoration signboard are the Chinese script used by Lim Tae-yeong, the training commander at the time of the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The letters were embossed, cut out of copper plate, plated, and fixed with nails. It is decorated with traditional dancheong and is larger than before.
It was always disappointing that the signboard of Gwanghwamun, one of the symbolic elements of Korea, had cracks, but the restoration has finally been completed. Restoration work was under way for a long time, but it was quickly completed at some point. It is meaningful that the traditions that were destroyed during the Japanese colonial era were revived in an elaborate and delicate manner.
