On July 5, Seoul’s Jongno-gu District announced that it has begun the installation of a large electronic billboard on the KT WEST building to advance the creation of ‘Gwanghwamun Square.’ This billboard is 21 meters tall, 94 meters long, and covers an area of 1,977 square meters. The district aims to develop the Gwanghwamun area into a global media landmark through this effort.
The Gwanghwamun Square project is part of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s second phase of the free display zone initiative, to be implemented from 2024 to 2033. Within a 220,000 square meter area encompassing Gwanghwamun Plaza and Sejong-daero, digital billboards and media poles will be installed on a total of nine buildings, including the KT WEST building, Kyobo Life Building, Dong-A Ilbo Company building, Ilmin Museum of Art, and Koreana Hotel.
The goal of this project is to transform Gwanghwamun Plaza into a ‘Square of Light’ that promotes Korea’s history and culture to the world. Jongno-gu, through a public-private joint consultative body, plans to generate public contributions while promoting public interest content broadcasts, organizing media festivals, and creating a media art street.
The electronic billboard installation on KT WEST building marks Jongno-gu’s first digital billboard project, with completion expected by the end of August. Alongside providing visual attractions, the project is anticipated to invigorate the local economy.
Jongno-gu Mayor Jeong Mun-heon stated, “Through the creation of Gwanghwamun Square, we aim to establish a national media hub that captures the world’s attention.”