▲ This photo, provided by the Seoul Museum of History, shows the poster for the exhibition, "TAPGOL PARK, The First Urban Park in Seoul." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by the Seoul Museum of History, shows Gyemun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) --The Seoul Museum of History announced on Thursday that it will be holding the exhibition "TAPGOL PARK, The First Urban Park in Seoul," from July 22 till March 19 2023 at the Gongpyeong Historic Site Museum in Jongno-gu.

In this exhibition, it allows one to look back on the history and meaning of Tapgol Park from the Joseon Dynasty through the Japanese colonial period till the present day.

Tapgol Park was created to introduce the modern leisure culture to the people of Hanyang during the Korean Empire, which is why it is evaluated as the first urban park. After the March 1st Movement, also known as the Sam-il (3-1) Movement (a protest movement by Korean people and students calling for independence from Japan), it emerged as a place that symbolized the spirit of the nation, although it was later used as a place to force the spirit of the colonial Japanese during the Japanese colonial period. However, after liberation, various convenience facilities were built around the area, and eventually became a city park for the citizens.

Gyemun, which is a document that tells the history of Wongaksa Temple, will be unveiled for the first time in the exhibition as Tapgol Park was in the site of Wongaksa Temple. According to gyemun, at the time Wongaksa Temple was established, it is said that King Sejo of Joseon recommended his servants to participate in the Suryukjae. Suryukae refers to the ritual of preaching Buddhism and sharing food to appease the souls. 

While the exhibition is free to visit, it is closed every Monday except on national holidays.

For further information, visit the webiste of the Seoul Museum of History(museum.seoul.go.kr).

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

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