Reopening of Gwangtong Bridge of Cheonggyecheon after 95 Years

“Step on Gwangtong Bridge and wish for luck for the year.” On August 23, Gwangtong Bridge, which was an attraction of Seoul in the Joseon era, reopened to the public for the first time in 95 years. The bridge, which had disappeared due to line construction for electric cars from Jongno to Namdaemun in 1910 and reclamation of Cheonggyecheon in 1958, regained its shape as part of the Cheonggyecheon restoration project. The bridge had been originally located about 155m downstream in front of the Korea National Tourism Organization in Jung-gu, Seoul but was moved to the current location for the sake of a fine view of the urban center and harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Chul-Min An acm08@donga.com