Even after Gwanghwamun Gate was destroyed by fire during the Imjin Waeran, a seven-year war waged between Joseon and Japan following the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, the space in front of the gate continued to house government buildings, including the Yukjo ("six ministries"). Gwanghwamun Gate was rebuilt at the original site when the Gyeongbokgung Palace was renovated during the reign of King Gojong, but moved to a new location east of the palace after the office of the Government-General of Joseon was built in the palace precincts after the coerced annexation of Korea by the Japanese Empire in 1910. The gate was rebuilt as a concrete structure during the Third Republic (1963–1972) but restored at its original location in 2008 after continued controversies over its location and building materials. While Gwanghwamun Gate underwent a cycle of destruction and restoration a few times, the open space in front of the gate remained as the center stage of Korean politics where Korean people gather together to exchange their views about various social and political issues. The area has grown into a symbol of democracy and harmony of Korean people as it passed through the most turbulent part of the Korean history.
The 2009 restoration of Gwanghwamun Gate returned the gate’s front space into a public square fulfilling its function and historical significance. It has recently undergone a large-scale renovation project aimed to meet new public demands with cutting-edge digital and multimedia facilities. Reopened in August 2022, Gwanghwamun Square shows historical significance of the site with Woldae, whose restoration had long been an ardent wish of all Korean people. The square is now expected to be used extensively not just for the daily activities of recreation but for main public events such as festivals.
"Hata baada ya Gwanghwa-mun Gate kuharibiwa na moto wakati wa Imjin-wa-ran, vita vya miaka saba kati ya Joseon na Japani kufuatia uvamizi wa Kijapani wa Korea mnamo 1592, nafasi iliyokuwa mbele ya lango iliendelea kuwa na majengo ya serikali, pamoja na Yukjo (""waziri sita")."" Lango la Gwanghwa limebadilishwa na kuwa Jumba la Gyeongbok wakati wa utawala wa Mfalme Gojong, lakini lilihamishwa hadi eneo jipya mashariki mwa jumba la kifalme baada ya ofisi ya Serikali Kuu ya Joseon kujengwa katika eneo la jumba la kifalme baada ya kuingizwa kwa Korea na Milki ya Japani mnamo 1910. Lango hilo lilijengwa upya kama jengo la saruji wakati wa Jamhuri ya Tatu (1963-1972) lakini lilirudishwa mahali pake awali mnamo 2008 baada ya mabishano ya kuendelea juu ya eneo lake na vifaa vya ujenzi. Wakati lango la Gwanghwa limepitia mzunguko wa uharibifu na ukarabati mara kadhaa, nafasi ya wazi mbele ya lango ilibaki kama hatua kuu ya siasa za Korea ambapo watu wa Korea hukusanyika pamoja kubadilishana maoni yao juu ya masuala mbalimbali ya kijamii na kisiasa. Eneo hilo limekua kuwa ishara ya demokrasia na maelewano ya watu wa Korea wakati lilipopita katika kipindi chenye msukosuko zaidi katika historia ya Korea. Ukarabati wa 2009 wa Lango la Gwanghwamun ulirudisha nafasi ya mbele ya lango kuwa mraba wa umma unaokamilisha kazi yake na umuhimu wake wa kihistoria. Hivi karibuni imepitia mradi mkubwa wa ukarabati unaolenga kukidhi mahitaji mapya ya umma na vifaa vya kisasa vya dijiti na multimedia. Ufunguaji wa uwanja wa Gwanghwamun, uliofunguliwa mnamo Agosti 2022, unaonyesha umuhimu wa kihistoria wa eneo hilo na Woldae, ambayo urejesho wake ulikuwa tamaa ya muda mrefu ya watu wote wa Korea. Piafasi hiyo sasa inatarajiwa kutumiwa sana sio tu kwa shughuli za kila siku za burudani bali kwa hafla kuu za umma kama vile sherehe.