[Cultural Excursion] 'The Museumification of Central Seoul's Pimatgol'

EXCURSION THEME: 'Museumification of Central Seoul's Pimatgol'

LEADER: Jon Dunbar

DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2026. 2:00pm to 6:00pm

DESTINATION: Central Seoul

COST: 20,000 won for RAS Korea Lifetime & Annual members; 25,000 won for non-members

MEETING POINT: Outside Exit 4 of Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역, Subway Line 5)

This RAS Korea walk through downtown looks closer at the awkward handshake between modern Seoul and the ancient capital of Joseon. Seoul’s central Jongno-gu has a history stretching back over 600 years, which has led to the formation of many compressed layers of history hidden beneath the surface.

On this walk we will trace the path of Pimatgol, a historic alleyway that has been almost entirely replaced. We’ll see how the alley and its locale have been memorialised in increasingly sophisticated ways.

We will walk through a “neo-Pimatgol” that passes through four 21st-century highrise buildings lining Jongno. Our next stops will be to Gongpyeong-ong Historic Sites Museum and the recently opened Insa Historic Sites Museum, two preservation sites that provide more information about the unique form of archaeological preservation in the area. Insa Historic Sites Museum displays some remarkable Joseon-era artefacts, including some of the world’s oldest known extant movable metal type pieces, predating Gutenberg, and the oldest movable metal type bearing Hangeul syllables.

After the museums, we will visit KOTE, a cultural space with a dramatic story, where the transformation of the area can be felt. KOTE used to host RAS Korea lectures in 2023, and it has changed significantly since then, while still remaining an oasis of art and culture in Insadong. For those who want to stick around after, we will walk a little further to reach a little-known section of Pimatgol that still has the pre-redevelopment spirit, where we will have dinner.

*Jon Dunbar is an urban explorer who has been documenting urban renewal around Korea since 2005, visiting construction cranes and roofs, underground rivers and train tunnels, and everything in between. He curates a database of 787 abandoned areas around Korea, which includes anything from large-scale abandoned neighbourhoods down to abandoned amusement parks and other phenomena of the changing urban landscape. He is currently an editor at The Korea Times and also the general editor of RAS Korea.*

This walking excursion will set off at 2:00 pm from exit 4 of Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역, subway line 5). Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

REGISTRATION: [RSVP](https://forms.gle/g11sPupSJQFh9V3r5) by October 1 (Thursday) with payment of the fee via bank transfer.

Please register one RSVP at a time. [RSVP](https://forms.gle/g11sPupSJQFh9V3r5): [https://forms.gle/e9PJvBgpJ5h53bfw5](https://forms.gle/e9PJvBgpJ5h53bfw5)

☞Payment to be remitted to the following account: SHINHAN BANK ACCOUNT # 100-026-383501 (RAS-KB)

**Reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received by RAS Korea in advance of the event*