Baekbeom Square

Halfway up the western slope of Namsan, on the path from Hoehyeon-dong, Baekbeom Square is a lawn-covered plaza with a statue of the independence leader Kim Koo (1876–1949), known by his pen name Baekbeom. Next to the square a restored section of the Seoul City Wall climbs towards the summit, with N Seoul Tower beyond. It is within walking distance of Seoul Station and Namdaemun Market, so it makes a good start for a city walk or a hike up Namsan.

The statue of Kim Koo

Kim Koo led the Korean Provisional Government during Japanese colonial rule, took part in the anti-Japanese independence movement and, after liberation, worked for a unified Korean state. In August 1969, the 20th anniversary of his death, a statue by the sculptors Kim Kyung-seung and Min Bok-jin was erected here, and the plaza took the name Baekbeom Square. Including the pedestal it stands about 10 m tall. To its left is a statue of Yi Si-yeong, Korea's first vice-president, and an equestrian statue of General Kim Yu-sin stands elsewhere on the square.

This area is also where the Japanese demolished part of the city wall to build Joseon Jingu, the main Shinto shrine of the colonial government. The site of a symbol of colonial rule has become a square honouring an independence fighter.

The wall trail and views

• Namsan section of the Seoul City Wall: rebuilt stretches of wall climb Namsan beside the square's steps. Look closely and you can see how the stones differ in shape and colour depending on when they were laid.
• Viewpoint on the wall: from the trail you can look down on the square and the high-rises of downtown Seoul.
• Hanyangdoseong Ruins Exhibition Hall: above the square, a site museum preserves wall foundations and the base of the Joseon Jingu worship hall uncovered in excavations in 2013–2015.
• Hohyeondang: a hanok that serves as the office for this part of Namsan Park, passed on the walk around the square.

The Seoul City Wall

The Seoul City Wall was first built in 1396 under King Taejo, the founder of Joseon, and runs for about 18.6 km along the ridges of Baegaksan, Naksan, Namsan and Inwangsan. Much of the Namsan section disappeared during the colonial period and later urban development, and was reconnected through excavation and restoration. The wall beside Baekbeom Square is largely recent, so the stone is pale, with older blocks set in between. The climb along the wall from the square to the summit of Namsan is one of the easiest stretches of the wall to walk from downtown Seoul.

Tripto tips

• Opening and fees: open 24 hours, every day; free.
• Time needed: 30 minutes for the square and the statues, 1 to 1.5 hours with the wall trail and the exhibition hall. Allow longer if you carry on to the top of Namsan.
• Getting there: about 500 m from Hoehyeon Station (Line 4), Exit 4, or about 700 m from Seoul Station, Exit 10. There are steps and a climb.
• Best time: spring cherry blossoms and autumn colours suit the wall and the square best. On fine days the lawn fills with people having picnics.
• Combine with: Sungnyemun Gate, Namdaemun Market and Seoullo 7017 are close by, and the wall trail from the square leads up to N Seoul Tower.
• Break: piknic, a cultural space with an exhibition hall, café and restaurant, is about 160 m below the square.
• Information: +82 2-3783-5900