The original nine gates built the defensive wall around Seoul were given special names.

South Gate Sungnye-mun, Gate of Exalted Ceremony
Records of the original construction indicate the gate had been erected on October 6, 1396. A labor crew of 6,817 soldiers from the Chonju area of Cholla Province built this gate, including 28 stone cutters, 44 carpenters, 63 riveters, and five sculptors. The records also show that 1,500 head of cattle were used in connection with the beam raising ceremony. Because of its poor construction, the original gate was torn down and rebuilt in 1497 facing Mount Kwanak across the Han River.

East Gate Hunginji-mun, Gate of Uplifting Mercy
Situated on low, marshy ground, the original East Gate was rebuilt in 1869 with a semi-circular wall on the outside that encloses a courtyard which can be entered only through a narrow opening on the north side. Attacking soldiers were forced to enter the gate from the north and proceed parallel to the main wall for a distance of several yards before reaching the gate's main arch. By funneling an attack in this way, a small number of defenders could successfully hold off a large attack.

North Gate Sukch'ong-mun, Gate of Silent Purity
The original North Gate was torn down in 1504, and rebuilt somewhat further east along the ridge. Standing alone on steep terrain, the gate now opens to the north onto a wooded valley, but leads nowhere in particular.

West Gate Tonui-mun, Gate of Abundant Righteousness
King Sejong had the West Gate moved south from its original position in 1422 during repair work on the city walls. Near the turn of the century, a single-track trolley line passed through its arch. The gate was torn down in March 1914 to make way for increased road traffic.

Little South Gate Kwanghui-mun, Gate of Bright Light
Only the archway of this gate remains standing today. Moved north from its original location in 1469 under the advice of geomancers, the Little South Gate is now attached to the Kwanghi Dong section of the city. Because King T'aejo prohibited the burial of anyone within the city walls, the law commanded that all dead bodies be carried from the city through either the Little South Gate or the Little West Gate. It was believed that to carry the corpse of anyone other than a king through any other gate would defile that gate. The gate is locally known as the Sigo-mun, a slang term for Sigu-mun, which means "corpse gate."

Little East Gate Hyehwa-mun, Gate of Transformation by Grace
Originally named Honghwa-mun, King Songjong renamed the gate in 1475 to avoid confusion with the main gate of the Ch'anggyong Palace, which had a similar name. It is alleged that King Injo escaped the Manchus through the Little East Gate and retreated to the Namhan Fortress in 1636. The pavilion top of the gate was removed in 1928, and the arch itself was torn down in 1939 to accommodate traffic.

Little North Gate Ch'angui-mun, Gate of Displaying Righteousness
This useful gate has had several names during its existence and is the gate through which Injo and his followers entered the city in 1623 to overthrow King Kwanghae. The plans for the coup were made in the valley below the gate. The gate's stonework was repaired in 1741, and a pavilion was added to the top of the archway.

Little West Gate So-ui-mun, Gate of Bright Righteousness
When first built, the gate was called Sodong-mun, Gate of Bright Virtue. It was renamed So-ui-mun, Gate of Bright Righteousness, in 1472. Condemned criminals were led from the city for execution through the Little West Gate.

Water Gate O-gan su-mun, Five Space Water Gate
The natural drainage of the broad valley containing the city of Seoul runs to the east toward a low section near the East Gate where water could drain into the Han River. The water gate was a set of five archways that carried the wall across the Ch'onggyech'on drainage stream.