This grand 600-meter boulevard stretching south from Gyeongbokgung Palace is Seoul's symbolic center, a place where history and modern civic life intersect. The square features two major statues: a golden, 6.2-meter seated King Sejong the Great, inventor of the Korean alphabet, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the revered naval commander who repelled Japan's 16th-century invasions. Beneath the Sejong statue, an underground exhibition hall tells the story of Hangul's creation. Opened in 2009 after a major renovation that reclaimed road space for pedestrians, the square regularly hosts protests, festivals, and cultural events. It's the natural starting point for exploring central Seoul's palace district.