SEOUL — Bullomun, a historic stone gate within Changdeok Palace in central Seoul, has been closed to the public due to structural damage, the Korea Heritage Service announced Monday. Officials say the closure is a precautionary measure while restoration efforts are underway to address a visible crack caused by prolonged weathering and the impacts of climate change.
The Changdeok Palace Office stated last week that access through Bullomun is now restricted to protect the gate, which has not undergone major conservation work in two decades. The agency attributes the deterioration to environmental stress accumulated over the last 20 years, emphasizing that this effort is part of a broader national initiative to safeguard Korea’s cultural heritage.
Standing approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall and carved from a single stone slab, Bullomun — often called the "Gate of Immortality" — dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). It was traditionally believed that passing through the gate would bring good health and longevity to visitors, particularly the king.
According to the Gunggwolji, a historical Joseon-era record of palace structures, Bullomun is described as "a stone gate to the east of Aeryeonjeong Pavilion." The gate has long symbolized the hope for a long and healthy life, with imitations of it found across Korea.
However, preservation concerns have mounted in recent years. A 2018 study by Jung Sang-pil and Lee Young-han, presented at the Korea Institute of Ecological Architecture and Environment, noted the gate's irregular height-to-width ratio and highlighted physical wear, including a significant crack near the top. The researchers also pointed out how a reinterpretation of the gate's legend — from “those who pass through do not age” to “those who touch it do not age” — has led many visitors to physically touch the gate, contributing to further deterioration.
In response, the Korea Heritage Service has rerouted palace tours. Visitors previously passed through Bullomun when heading to Aeryeonji Pond, but they will now be guided through the nearby Uiduhap study building before proceeding to Aeryeonji, Yeongyeongdang, and Gwanramji Pond.
“There are visible signs of old cracking at the top of Bullomun,” said a maintenance official from Changdeok Palace in a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency. “Although conservation work was done about 20 years ago, we are undertaking new repairs based on updated expert assessments.”
The official added, “We’re closing access in advance to prevent additional damage or contamination. Our goal is to preserve the gate’s original cultural value while building a long-term plan for its protection.”
Bullomun will remain off-limits to visitors until further notice.
Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com
Climate change and wear prompt renewed preservation efforts for historic stone structure
SEOUL — Bullomun, a historic stone gate within Changdeok Palace in central Seoul, has been closed to the public due to structural damage, the Korea Heritage Service announced Monday. Officials say the closure is a precautionary measure while restoration efforts are underway to address a visible crack caused by prolonged weathering and the impacts of climate change.
The Changdeok Palace Office stated last week that access through Bullomun is now restricted to protect the gate, which has not undergone major conservation work in two decades. The agency attributes the deterioration to environmental stress accumulated over the last 20 years, emphasizing that this effort is part of a broader national initiative to safeguard Korea’s cultural heritage.
Standing approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall and carved from a single stone slab, Bullomun — often called the "Gate of Immortality" — dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). It was traditionally believed that passing through the gate would bring good health and longevity to visitors, particularly the king.
According to the Gunggwolji, a historical Joseon-era record of palace structures, Bullomun is described as "a stone gate to the east of Aeryeonjeong Pavilion." The gate has long symbolized the hope for a long and healthy life, with imitations of it found across Korea.
However, preservation concerns have mounted in recent years. A 2018 study by Jung Sang-pil and Lee Young-han, presented at the Korea Institute of Ecological Architecture and Environment, noted the gate's irregular height-to-width ratio and highlighted physical wear, including a significant crack near the top. The researchers also pointed out how a reinterpretation of the gate's legend — from “those who pass through do not age” to “those who touch it do not age” — has led many visitors to physically touch the gate, contributing to further deterioration.
In response, the Korea Heritage Service has rerouted palace tours. Visitors previously passed through Bullomun when heading to Aeryeonji Pond, but they will now be guided through the nearby Uiduhap study building before proceeding to Aeryeonji, Yeongyeongdang, and Gwanramji Pond.
“There are visible signs of old cracking at the top of Bullomun,” said a maintenance official from Changdeok Palace in a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency. “Although conservation work was done about 20 years ago, we are undertaking new repairs based on updated expert assessments.”
The official added, “We’re closing access in advance to prevent additional damage or contamination. Our goal is to preserve the gate’s original cultural value while building a long-term plan for its protection.”
Bullomun will remain off-limits to visitors until further notice.
Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com
