Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about castles in south korea.
What exactly are 'castles' in South Korea?
South Korean 'castles' are more accurately called seong (성), which are fortified citadels and perimeter wall enclosures rather than the tower-and-battlement structures common in Europe. They served as military strongholds, administrative centers, and defensive rings around cities and royal compounds.
How do seong differ from the royal palaces?
A seong is a defensive structure—walls, gates, and watchtowers—while a palace (gung) is the residential and ceremonial complex of the king. In practice the two were often layered, with a palace sitting inside or immediately adjacent to a seong for protection.
Which dynasty is most associated with the surviving seong?
The Joseon dynasty (1392–1897) is responsible for most of the well-preserved fortifications still standing today, especially around the capital. Earlier Goryeo, Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo sites exist but tend to survive as partial ruins or archaeological layers.
What is Hanyangdoseong?
Hanyangdoseong is the great fortress wall that encircled the Joseon capital of Hanyang (modern Seoul), stretching roughly 18.6 km with four major gates, numerous smaller gates, and watchtowers. It is the single most visited and best-documented seong in the country.
How many seong are there in South Korea?
There are well over a hundred documented fortress sites across the peninsula, ranging from massive capital walls to small hilltop strongholds. The government designates a subset as national treasures or historic sites, while many smaller seong remain under local or provincial stewardship.
Where should a first-time visitor start?
Hanyangdoseong in Seoul is the most accessible and well-signposted option, with long stretches of wall converted into public walking trails. For a more dramatic hilltop experience, Namhansanseong southeast of Seoul or the star-shaped Suwongseong in Suwon are popular alternatives.
What are the typical features of a seong?
A standard seong includes a perimeter wall (often stone at the base with earthen or brick upper sections), main and side gates, watchtowers called suryeongdae, and sometimes an inner citadel wall (jaeseong). Many also incorporated bastions, drainage channels, and storage areas for military supplies.
Are the seong open to the public?
Most major sites are freely accessible, with sections of wall converted into parks and walking paths. A few interior buildings or watchtowers charge a small admission fee, and a handful of restricted military or active-archaeology zones remain closed.
What happened to the seong during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War?
Many fortifications suffered damage or partial demolition during the 1910–1945 colonial period and again in the 1950–1953 war, particularly in the north. Post-war urban expansion in the 1960s and 1970s caused further loss, which is why surviving sections now receive strict legal protection.
Is there a single 'best' seong to see?
It depends on what you want: Hanyangdoseong for scale and urban context, Suwongseong for a remarkably intact star-shaped military design, or Namhansanseong for a dramatic mountain-top setting with a palace inside. Most visitors find that combining two or three sites in one trip gives the fullest picture.