hankyoreh

People walk through Namdaemun Gate in Seoul on Tuesday when it was fully opened for passage. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)

Namdaemun Gate — officially known as Sungnyemun — has opened for passage. The Deoksu Palace Management Office, under the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), said only the front door of the gate had been open in the past for public safety and preservation of the gate. But now the gate's rear door is open, too, so people can freely pass through the gate.

People walk through Namdaemun Gate in Seoul on Tuesday when it was fully opened for passage. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)

The CHA said, “Opening Sungnyemun Gate for passage is an example of collaborative work among Namdaemun Market, the City of Seoul [and the CHA],” adding that the CHA hopes to see the opening become a positive case of local residents embracing a cultural heritage.

By Kim Myoung-jin, staff photographer

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]