Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin Standing 17 m in the Middle of Gwanghwamun

A 17m bronze statue erected on April 27, 1968, at the Sejongno intersection

The Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue stands at the center of Gwanghwamun Square, at 172 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It was built on April 27, 1968, under the joint supervision of the Patriotic Martyrs Statue Construction Committee and the Seoul Newspaper, and according to the Seoul city management standards, the statue is recorded as 6.5m high with a 10.5m base, making the total height 17m.

This statue is a bronze standing figure. The reason Yi Sun-sin was placed at the Gwanghwamun intersection, a key national axis, is connected to the monument-building trend of the time, which sought to present the commander who led the navy during the Imjin War as a symbol of national defense. Records from the Seoul Archives also note that the groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 19, 1967, and the unveiling ceremony took place about seven months later.

A national monument in Seoul to read through the Gwanghwamun axis, more than just a sword and armor

The statue stands on the Sejong-daero axis connecting Gwanghwamun of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the north and the Seoul City Hall and Sungnyemun direction to the south. With Bukhansan and Gwanghwamun to the north and the downtown business district to the south, it is better to include Gwanghwamun in the frame rather than photographing the statue alone, as that better conveys the character of the place.

Near the statue are one turtle ship model and two drums, and the underground space is connected to the 12.23 Fountain and the exhibition hall. The outdoor sculpture is located in a square open 24 hours a day, so no separate admission ticket or reservation is required, and admission is free. However, some routes in the square may change depending on gatherings, events, or seasonal programs.

How to see the Nanjung Ilgi and military examination appointment decree at "Chungmugong Story" below the statue

Rather than leaving after seeing only the statue, go down to the underground exhibition hall "Chungmugong Story" through the Gwanghwamun Square entrance behind the Sejong the Great statue to see Yi Sun-sin's life, the meaning of the posthumous title "Chungmugong," and materials related to the Nanjung Ilgi and his military examination appointment decree. The exhibition hall operates together with Sejong Story, and admission is free.

Opening hours are 10:00~18:30, and last admission is at 18:00. It is regularly closed every Monday for maintenance, but if Monday is a public holiday, it opens and closes on the first weekday thereafter. From April to December, on Fridays, Seoul City's Culture Night extends hours to 10:00~21:00, with last admission at 20:30.

• Exhibition hall phone: 02-399-1000
• Group visits: advance reservation through Naver Place
• Official website: https://www.sejongpac.or.kr/portal/main/contents.do?menuNo=200343
• Recommended viewing time: 40~60 minutes

About 3 minutes from Exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 to the statue

The simplest access is Exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. From the exit, walk south along Sejong-daero into Gwanghwamun Square, and you will reach the statue in about 200m, or about 3 minutes at a normal pace. From Exit 6 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3, it is better to plan for about 650m toward Gwanghwamun, or about 10 minutes on foot.

For buses, use the "Gwanghwamun" or "Sejong Center for the Performing Arts" stop. Main route buses 101, 150, 160, 260, 270, 271, 273, 370, 470, 601, and 704, as well as local buses 7019 and 7023, pass through this area. Since it is a busy boulevard, do not cross directly to the statue; use the square entrance and crosswalks.

If visiting by car, it is more practical to check the Sejong-ro public parking lot or nearby private parking lots rather than relying on the square's own parking. Since traffic control may be in effect on Sejong-ro on event days and weekends, the subway is a more reliable option if your schedule is only to see the statue.

Wheelchairs and strollers should use the elevator behind the Sejong the Great statue

The outdoor statue area is connected to the square's pedestrian paths, so wheelchair and stroller access is possible. When going down to the underground "Chungmugong Story," it is more convenient to use the elevator at the Gwanghwamun Square entrance on the back side of the Sejong the Great statue than to use the stairs. There are also stair routes at the KT entrance, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts entrance, and the Sejong-ro parking lot entrance.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization's barrier-free information, there are accessible restrooms, elevators for people with disabilities, designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, a main entrance without steps, access via subway and low-floor buses, wheelchair rentals, services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments, and a nursing room. Since the number of rentals available and same-day operations may change, it is safer to inquire at 02-399-1000 before using the exhibition hall.

Around 10 a.m. and near sunset, 90 minutes to connect the statue, Gwanghwamun, and Gyeongbokgung together

If you want to combine photos and a walk, around 10 a.m. on a weekday is ideal. At that time, the exhibition hall has just opened, and it is easy to move from Gwanghwamun Station to the statue, see the underground exhibition first, and then come back up to ground level. Just viewing the outdoor statue takes 15~20 minutes, while the statue, fountain, and Chungmugong Story together are well covered in 60~90 minutes.

From the statue, a walk of about 350m north reaches Gyeongbokgung Palace's Gwanghwamun, and the Sejong the Great statue is about 250m away within the square. If you plan to include Gyeongbokgung Palace in your visit, you should check the palace admission ticket and separate viewing hours. The statue can be viewed free of charge at all times, but the underground exhibition hall is closed on Mondays and last admission is at 18:00, so in the late afternoon it is better to focus on the ground-level statue and a walk around the square.

The statue returned after 40 days of repairs in 2010, up to its present appearance

Since its installation in 1968, the statue was taken away for about 40 days for repairs in 2010. During those repairs, 16 damaged areas were reinforced and stainless-steel supports were added inside to improve seismic and wind resistance before it was reinstalled in Gwanghwamun Square. The statue visible today is the result of structural reinforcement while preserving its original symbolic role in the city.

Therefore, this place is not a Joseon-era relic itself, but a historical monument of modern Seoul created in the 1960s. Knowing that Yi Sun-sin's 16th-century war history, the 1968 national memorial policy, and the 2010 conservation treatment overlap in one place, the statue in Gwanghwamun Square reveals more historical layers than a simple photo spot.