The first time I visited Korea in 2004, I recall that the beautiful Dongdaemun Gate stood at the centre of a large and unattractive roundabout with heavy traffic. Today, the Gate is no longer surrounded by cars and can be visited more easily. Although it still faces on 2 sides a busy junction, the gate has some space for visitors on the other 2 sides.

Seoul has been making efforts to beautify its urban fabric, including the restoration of the city wall. Another notable example is the opening up of the Seoul River, which has become a bit of an urban lung. However, the city has yet to fully address the main issue: heavy car traffic with aggressive drivers.

Present-day Seoul, known as Hanyang during the Joseon dynasty, was the capital of the dynasty. Korea, being a small country compared to its larger neighbours China and Japan, always required fortifications for defence. Many of these locations can still be visited around the city.

OUV

I find it difficult to see how this nomination creates a separate OUV:

• The wider Seoul metro area already has two fortifications on the list (Hwaseong, Namhansanseong).
• Seoul itself has three more World Heritage Sites (WHS) linked to the Joseon dynasty and its role as the capital.

Personally, I could only envision this as an extension to an existing WHS, not as a separate one. This would still not resolve the authenticity concerns, as large portions of what you see are reconstructions. And in the larger scheme of things, the walls pale in comparison to e.g. Xian.

Getting There

The easiest options are the big gates: Dongdaemun or Sungnyemun Gate. You can also hike portions of the wall.