Former Main Building of Seoul National University

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.278

Category

Architecture

Era

1931년

Designated year

1981

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 동숭길 3 (동숭동)

Coordinates

37.579919, 127.002930

This is the main building of the old Gyeongseong Imperial University built in 1931 during the Japanese Occupation, and it was used as the main building of Seoul National University from 1945. Since 1972 when Seoul National University moved to its new campus at the foot of Gwanaksan Mountain this building has been used as an office by the Culture and Art Foundation. Upon the formation of the founding association for the Joseon Private University headed by the famous national educator, Yi Sang-jae, after the March 1st Independence Movement exploded, the Japanese issued a decree establishing Gyeongseong Imperial University to block the movement. Following the selection of students for the preparatory course the university started operation in 1926 by opening the Medical and the Law and Literature Departments. It is a 3-story brick building, designed by Mr. Park Gil-ryong, a pioneer in the architectural engineering field in our country, and constructed by a Japanese company named Miyakawagumi. It has a square plane with a polished and elegant roof style. It has classical arches at the partial entrances, but it is a building with a modern character which refuses to imitate the styles of earlier buildings. It is significant that this building is the only one remaining from the Seoul National University buildings located in Jongno-gu.

Location