The Gwanghwamun Square area in Jongno-gu, Seoul, will transform into a global media landmark like Times Square in New York City. Advanced digital advertising and media art will provide a new experience to both our citizens and foreign tourists visiting Gwanghwamun.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Jongno-gu, Seoul, announced that on the 5th, they will hold a lighting ceremony for 'Gwanghwamun Square' at Gwanghwamun Square and begin the full operation of the outdoor advertising free display area.
The event will start at 7 p.m. A 'K-Festa—Gwanghwamun Square Opening Ceremony' will be held at the playground in front of the Sejong Center. After the opening declaration, there will be a lighting performance, media wall art video screening, and celebratory performances. The media wall video produced by the Korea Heritage Service, Seoul City, Jongno-gu, and DIO will also be unveiled. The event will be hosted by interpreter Ahn Hyun-mo. Performers for the celebratory performances will include the Korean traditional music ensemble Cheong-eum, the electronic string group DIO, and singer Zion.T.
Previously, the government designated the area around Samsung-dong in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, as the first phase of the outdoor advertising free display area in December 2016. It significantly eased the regulations on outdoor advertising regarding the size, shape, and installation methods of billboards.
In December 2023, three more areas, including Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Myeongdong Square in Jung-gu (Myeongdong Square), and Haeundae area in Busan (Haeundae Square), were added as the second phase of the outdoor advertising free display area. Myeongdong opened last November, Haeundae opened in June of this year, and finally, the official lighting ceremony was held at Gwanghwamun today.
Currently, large digital billboards measuring 1,303 square meters are installed on the outer wall of the Koreana Hotel and 1,770 square meters on the KT headquarters in the Gwanghwamun Square area. By the end of this year, digital billboards will be installed on the outer walls of the Dong-A Media Center and the Gukho Building, and more billboards will be added next year in places like the Kyobo Building.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained that Gwanghwamun Square has significant symbolic value and wide pedestrian space, allowing for a more vivid advertising experience than other areas. It also anticipated great synergy effects with various events held in Gwanghwamun Square and nearby cultural heritage sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Jongno-gu plans to provide attractions and revitalize the commercial district with digital billboards installed on nine buildings in the Gwanghwamun Square area. Additionally, they plan to create public contributions centered around a public-private joint council to produce and broadcast socially beneficial content, hold a 'media festival,' and establish a 'media art street.'
A Ministry of the Interior and Safety official noted, 'Gwanghwamun Square is expected to harmoniously blend historical significance and modern value, creating a future-oriented urban image and transforming it into a dignified space representing South Korea.'