[KS] Independence Gate (Tongnipmun) during Japanese Colonial Rule?

[Kirk Larsen]

Thanks for all the replies to my query.

I went back and checked my photo of the description of Tongnipmun and it states that it was moved in 1979, not 1997. Perhaps that might account for some of the misunderstanding.

And as Peter Schroepfer accurately states, I am aware that the arch was intended as a symbolic declaration of independence from China, not Japan. Still, like Peter, I was curious if anyone could shed some light on the official Japanese policy toward the gate. Note that the tourist description of the nearby Tongnipgwan (Indepedence Hall) notes that the building "was later destroyed by the Japanese." Whether this was done for symbolic or other reasons is not clear. 

Cheers,

Kirk W. Larsen
Korea Foundation Assistant Professor of
History and International Affairs
Phillips 330
The George Washington University
Washington DC, 20052
(202) 994-8115

----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Schroepfer <schroepfer at gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 11:56 pm
Subject: Re: [KS] Independence Gate (Tongnipmun) during Japanese Colonial Rule?

> >The Independence Arch was moved from the site where the Sungsan
> highway passed by in 1997.
> 
> I've read this sentence several times and do believe I'm still
> misreading something or need to doubt my eyes, but if it means
> Tongnummun/Dongnimmun was moved, turned around, or in any way adjusted
> in 1997 it just can't be accurate, as anyone who has lived in Seoul's
> downtown neighborhoods in the last few decades can tell you. Obviously
> it was moved at some point in history, and surely someone on this
> listserve will be able to clarify when.
> 
> Also, anyone who has gotten a close look will have noticed that next
> to it stands a smaller arch which clearly says Yônginmun, intended to
> welcome visiting Chinese emissaries. So even if that one was
> "destroyed in February 1895" (and I don't know that to be inaccurate)
> then obviously part of it still stands or was rebuilt, which would
> surprise me. Yônginmun is tiny, so I can imagine there might have been
> more to it at one point.
> 
> Kirk Larsen, myself, and the many others who do not have the wrong
> impression that Tongnimmun was a declaration of independence from
> Japan probably still wonder what the Japanese thought of the monument.
> I can see the Japanese wanting to keep it there, frankly, given how
> the "independence" was in relation to China, but it would be
> interesting to hear about any Japanese references to it during
> colonial times.
> 
> Peter Schroepfer.
> 
>