The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced that its “New Gwanghwamun Square” lighting project won third place at the 2022 LUCI Cities & Lighting Awards held during the LUCI Annual General Meeting on Fri, Oct. 21. This achievement is an international recognition of the harmony and elegance of the newly reorganized Gwanghwamun Square as an open public space that serves as the center of Korean history and culture.

The LUCI Cities & Lighting Awards is awarded by Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI) to municipalities for urban lighting projects that reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of urban lighting and show a positive impact on economic, social, and cultural development. This year’s award is Seoul’s fourth recognition following the Gyeongui Line Forest Park walkway lighting design project in 2016, the Yeouido Hangang Park project in 2013, and the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration project in 2008.

This year’s award-winning Gwanghwamun Square lighting project has been recognized for harmonizing the diverse aspects of visitors’ interest from history and culture to transportation, leisure, and civic activities at an open public space that embodies Seoul’s 600-year history and modernity.

The Gwanghwamun Square lighting project features themes of Korean aesthetics that incorporates emptiness through harmony—sectioning off lights further emphasized the beauty of symbols such as Gwanghwamun Gate and the statue of King Sejong, and utilizing the walls of nearby buildings to display media facade as well as the walls of Haechi Lounge to project media art also allowed visitors to enjoy the arts and culture.

Gwanghwamun Square was also highly praised for serving as a place of leisure, providing visitors with a wide array of opportunities to experience the arts and culture as well as rest while enjoying the night view.

On the occasion of the 2022 LUCI Annual General Meeting, Seoul was re-elected as vice president for Asia for two years from November 2022 to October 2024. Taking up such a role, the city plans to push for active communication, cooperation and exchanges with Asian cities, leading international urban landscape policies through the development of urban lighting policies and technologies.