Cheonggyecheon Stream

The largest dredging construction site in the Joseon Dynasty The bridge you are now looking at is Ogansugyo Bridge. During the Joseon Dynasty, it functioned not as a bridge but as a series of sluice gates integral to the fortress wall. This structure allowed the Cheonggyecheon Stream to flow through and formed a part of the fortress wall. During that era, the Ogansugyo Bridge was named “Ogansumun Gates,” a title based on its appearance. “Ogansumun” literally means “the gates with five sluices.” These gates regulated the flow of waste water out of the city and served as an escape route due to their less secure boundaries compared to the capital's four main gates. It is said that the outlaw, Lim Kkeok-jeong, escaped from the prison with his companions by fleeing through Ogansumun Gates. Topographically, Seoul is situated in a valley with Cheonggyecheon Stream flowing through and surrounding hills and mountains, leading to sedimentation issues, particularly due to household wastewater. As rapid accumulation of sediment was the main cause of frequent flooding, the kings of the Joseon Dynasty ordered their administration to clean up the stream. In the 18th century, King Yeongjo, the 21st king of the Joseon Dynasty, established an independent government office to oversee a large-scale construction project aimed at resolving the sedimentation problem. The written records of the construction left by the office are currently displayed under the bridge, including the king’s letters of commendation to his subjects for their service in the project and diagrams of the construction design. The five sluice gates were relatively well-maintained up until the end of the Joseon Dynasty. However, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, they were demolished and replaced by the current concrete bridge due to their obstruction of water flow. The route of the first trolley car in Korea crossed over the bridge. This bridge was traversed by Korea's first trolley car route and, in 1926, the funeral procession of King Sunjong, the second and last Emperor of the Korean Empire, also crossed over it.

The Vibrant Feeling of Market at Early Dawn Saebyeokdari Bridge was newly constructed during the restoration project of the Cheonggyecheon Stream in 2005. Near the bridge, two traditional markets, Gwangjang Market and Bangsan Market, thrive. The merchants in the markets begin their day early in the morning, preparing for store openings by pitching tents and arranging items. Thus, the bridge earned the name ‘Saebyeok,’ meaning dawn in Korean, encapsulating the vibrant atmosphere of Gwangjang and Bangsan Market at early dawn. In November of 1905, merchants in Jongno organized a large marketplace named Gwangjang Market on Saebyeokdari Bridge. At first, the market mainly focused on trading agricultural products and seafood. It shifted to selling rescue kits and goods leaked from the US military base after the Korean War. In the 1960s, it gained fame for its textile and apparel markets, and now it is renowned for its food alleys. Bangsan Market is located on the south of Saebyeokdari Bridge. Originating as a small market for grocery and food additives, it later evolved into a specialized market for printing and packaging.

Majeon, a marketplace for horse and cow trade, where snake hunters lived Majeongyo Bridge, an ancient bridge in Cheonggyecheon Stream, held different names throughout history. It was initially called ‘Changseongbang Bridge’ during the reign of King Taejong and was later changed to ‘Taepyeong Bridge’ in the era of King Sungjong. However, it acquired its current name during the reign of King Yeongjo, the 21st king of Joseon, when the Majeon, a market for trading cattle and horse, relocated near this bridge. To the south of Majeongyo Bridge lies Hullyeonwon Park, historically used for military training and martial arts examinations during the Joseon Dynasty. Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a renowned figure in naval history, underwent a martial arts test. A famous incident involving him occurred in this park when he was injured while riding a horse during the test. Despite the injury, he wrapped his wounded leg with willow bark and persevered to complete the examination. In Bangsan-dong near Majeonggyo Bridge, two artificial hills were created using soil from construction during the reign of King Yeongjo. Flowers and trees were planted in the garden to prevent the soil from being washed away by the flood. The fragrant environment led to the area being named “Bangsan-dong,” signifying a 'mountain with flower scents' in Korean. Furthermore, the garden attracted many impoverished individuals who dug a tunnel to reside there. These individuals, labeled 'snake hunters,' were granted exclusive rights by King Yeongjo to catch and sell snakes.