Gwanghwamun Signboard Writing, In Korean or Chinese?

Gwanghwamun, the landmark main gate to Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, finally had its grand opening to the public on Aug. 15, the Independence Day.

However, the gate¡¯s restoration project stirred controversy over whether its signboard should maintain the original Chinese characters or be rewritten in hangeul.

The Korean Language Society (ÇѱÛÇÐȸ) and groups of hangeul supporters are demanding the signboard to be written in hangeul since it is a new representative cultural property of Korea.

It is absurd to have the signboard of Gwanghwamun in Chinese characters, especially since the statue of King Sejong, the inventor of hangeul sits right in front of the gate, they add.

Some citizens also point out that it is awkward to put Chinese characters in a representative cultural heritage of Korea. Gwanghwamun is a symbolic icon of the nation¡¯s capital city and therefore, it is right to have a signboard written in hangeul, not in Chinese characters, they say.

However, the Cultural Heritage Administration (¹®È­Àçû) maintains their stance of restoring Gwanghwamun with Chinese characters based on historical research.

This is restoring a cultural heritage and it is appropriate to restore Gwanghwamun to its original state, according to the historical evidence, they say. The tablet was restored in Chinese characters based on the handwriting of the restoration manager of the gate during the King Gojong era.

In addition, the restoration project is based on Gwanghwamun of the 19th century. Therefore, a signboard written in Chinese characters, like the one done during the Joseon Kingdom is necessary, they stress.

Those who support the Cultural Heritage Administration¡¯s decision also point out that hangeul supporters¡¯ idea is ironic since there are buildings and facilities nearby the gate with large signboards written in English. If the Gwanghwamun signboard should be in hangeul, then, what should be done with all those English signboards? They ask.

The gate, originally built in the early Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), went through a series of restoration and relocation processes. The recent restoration project started in 2007, years after the Kim Young-sam administration decided to relocate the gate in its original position in front of Gyeongbok Palace.