Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to prescribe matters necessary for citizens to use and manage Gwanghwamun Square for sound recreational and cultural activities.

Article 2 (Definitions) The terms used in this Ordinance are defined as follows: <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
1. The term "Gwanghwamun Square" refers to a place divided from roadways at the center of Sejong-ro.
2. The term "use" refers to an activity that restricts a free use of the Gwanghwamun Square (hereinafter referred to as the "Square") by many and unspecified citizens by using all or part of the Square.
3. The term "petitioner" refers to a person or an organization that wants to use the Square under his/her/its own name and responsibility.
4. The term "user" refers to a person or an organization that applies for permission to use the Square and is granted permission to use.

Article 3 (Management) (1) The Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") shall create an environment of the Square so that citizens can peacefully perform activities and shall manage the Square so that the Square can be used to support the citizens' sound recreational and cultural activities. <Amended on Sep. 29, 2011>
(2) The Mayor may install exhibition halls, statues, sculptures, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "Sculptures, etc.'') within the Square that can improve citizens' safety consciousness and remember historical facts, such as democratization, etc. <Newly Inserted on Sep. 30, 2021>
(3) The Mayor shall manage Sculptures, etc. installed in the Square so that they shall be used for their purpose and preserved in their original forms. <Newly Inserted on Sep. 29, 2011; Jan. 7, 2016; Sep. 30, 2021>
(4) Matters concerning the establishment, relocation, etc. of Sculptures, etc. (referring to, in this case, "Permanent Sculptures") within the Square shall be deliberated and resolved by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizens' Committee on the operation of a public square. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 5, 2017; Sep. 30, 2021>

Article 4 (Consigned Operation) (1) If required, the Mayor may consign all or part of the use and management of the Square to the Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation. <Amended on Sep. 29, 2011; Mar. 23, 2017>
(2) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Private Consignment of Administrative Affairs shall apply mutatis mutandis to procedures, methods, etc. necessary for consignment under paragraph (1) above.

Article 5 (Application for Permission to Use) (1) The Petitioner shall file an application for permission to use the Square under the Attached Form 1 containing the purpose, date, and time of use, address and name of the Petitioner, number of persons to use the Square, safety control plan, etc. with the Mayor from 60 to 70 days before the date when he/she/it intends using the Square (hereinafter referred to as the "Date of Use"). <Amended on Sep. 29, 2011; Jan. 2, 2015; Jan. 7, 2016; Jan. 5, 2017>
(2) Where an application for permission to use the Square is received under paragraph (1) above, the Mayor shall inform such facts to the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, provided that it is required to restrict vehicle traffic on Sejongno or it is apprehended that the traffic would be interfered.

Article 6 (Permission or Restriction of Use) (1) Where an application is filed under Article 5 above, the Mayor shall determine whether or not to permit by reviewing the following and where it is required to secure a public order, the Mayor may add conditions thereto: <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
1. Whether the application violates a purpose of the Square; or
2. Where other laws and regulations, etc. restrict a use of the Square.
(2) Where the Date of Use is overlapped for applications for permission to use under paragraph (1) above, the applications shall be permitted in their ranking. However, the following events may be permitted on a preferential basis: <Amended on Jan. 5, 2017>
1. An event hosted by the central or local government;
2. A cultural or artistic event, such as a public performance, an exhibition, etc.; or
3. An event for children, teens or women.
(3) The Mayor may prescribe detailed standards for permission or restriction to use as rules.

Article 7 (Notification of Permission for Use, etc.) (1) The Mayor shall notify the Petitioner of matters concerning permission to use and the Petitioner shall follow the conditions regarding permission to use.
(2) If permission to use is not granted, such facts shall be informed in writing containing the reasons therefor to the Petitioner. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>

Article 8 (Change of Permission) The Mayor may change permission to use in the following cases, even after use of the Square is permitted under Article 7. In such cases, the Mayor shall have prior consultation with the user:
1. Where the Republic of Korea or Seoul Metropolitan City shall use the Square for public interest; or
2. Where it is required to secure the citizens' safety and keep order.

Article 9 (Cancellation and Suspension of Permission to Use) The Mayor may take necessary measures, such as cancellation, suspension, etc. of permission to use in the following cases: <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
1. Where the Square is used for purposes other than permitted purposes of use; or
2. Where a user violates other matters to be followed as stipulated by the rules.

Article 10 (Collection and Exemption of Fees) (1) The Mayor shall collect fees from users stipulated by the rules within the scope of the Attached Table.
(2) A user shall pay the fees under paragraph (1) above within 5 days from the date on which he/she is notified of their permission to use; Provided, That the permission to use is notified within 4 days from the Date of Use, a user shall pay the fees until the day before the Date of Use.
(3) Where the Square is not used on the Date of Use, the fees shall not be refunded; Provided, That the same shall not be applied where the Square is not used on the Date of Use without reasons attributable to a user. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
(4) Despite paragraph (1), the Mayor may exempt fees in the following cases: <Amended on Dec. 30, 2021>
1. Where it is hosted by the central or local government; or
2. Where the Mayor recognizes as it is necessary for public interest, such as culture, arts, etc.
(5) Matters concerning collection of fees, procedures for objection, etc. which are not prescribed by this Ordinance shall be governed by Article 157 of the Local Autonomy Act. <Amended on Sep. 30, 2021>
[Enforced on Jan. 13, 2022; Article 140 of the Local Autonomy Act → Article 157 of the Local Autonomy Act]

Article 11 (Restoration, etc.) (1) A user shall take measures necessary for restoration, such as removal, cleaning, etc. of temporary installations, after using the Square. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
(2) Where the Square is damaged by use thereof, the Mayor may request a user to take measures equivalent to the compensation for damages.

Article 12 (Permission to Use Sculptures, etc.) (1) A person (hereinafter referred to as the "User") who intends to use copyrighted Sculptures, etc. under the Copyright Act shall file an application for permission to use Sculptures, etc. pursuant to Attached Form 2 with the Mayor and obtain approval therefor. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
(2) Where the User intends to change permission to use under paragraph (1) above, he/she/it shall file an application to change use of Sculptures, etc. pursuant to Attached Form 3 with the Mayor and obtain approval therefor. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016; Jan. 5, 2017>
(3) A person who intends to obtain approval to use Sculptures, etc. shall use the same for approved purposes. Where the purpose or condition for use is violated, the Mayor may cancel the approval to use.
[Previous Article 12 moved to Article 15 <Sep. 29, 2011>]

Article 13 (Collection and Use of Fees for Sculptures, etc.) (1) The Mayor may collect fees from a person who obtains approval to use under Article 12 above.
(2) The fees under paragraph (1) above shall follow the regulations for collection of public copyright fees as approved by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the Mayor may consign public institutions prescribed by the Act on the Management of Public Institutions with fee collection for the management of copyright. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
(3) The Mayor may exempt the fees under paragraph (1) above in the following cases:
1. Where it is sponsored by the City;
2. Where it is used by a government institution or an educational institution; or
3. Where it is used by a public institution or social organization for public interest.
(4) The Mayor shall use the fees collected under paragraph (1) above to support the following projects: <Amended on Jan. 5, 2017>
1. Social welfare projects;
2. Patriotic projects; or
3. Other projects stipulated by the rules.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Sep. 29, 2011]

Article 14 (Actions against Violation) The Mayor shall take actions under related laws and regulations, such as the Copyright Act against users who are not approved under Article 12 above. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2016>
[This Article Newly Inserted on Sep. 29, 2011]

Article 15 (Mutatis Mutandis) Related laws and regulations, such as the Public Property and Commodity Management Act, the Copyright Act, etc. shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters not prescribed by this Ordinance as to the use and management of the Square. <Amended on Sep. 29, 2011>
[Moved from Article 12 <Sep. 29, 2011>]

Addenda <Ordinance No. 4800, May 28, 2009>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 5162, Jul. 29, 2011>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 5827, Jan. 2, 2015>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 6120, Jan. 7, 2016>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 6386, Jan. 5, 2017>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 6409, Jan. 5, 2017>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation) <Ordinance No. 6429, Mar. 23, 2017> Addenda (Hide)
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2
Omitted
Article 3 (Revision of Other Ordinances)
(1) through (5) are omitted.
(6) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Use and Management of Gwanghwamun Square shall be revised as follows:
"Seoul Metropolitan City Facilities Management Corporation" under Article 4(1) shall be changed to "Seoul Facilities Corporation."
(7) through (12) are omitted.
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Reorganization of Provisions Quoting Upper Statutes, Including the Whole Amendment of the Local Autonomy Act, etc.) <Ordinance No. 8127, Sep. 30, 2021>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation; Provided, That the <proviso omission> provisions amending Articles 2 to 36 shall enter into force on and after Jan. 13, 2022.
Addenda <Ordinance No. 8189, Sep. 30, 2021>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Modification of Japanese Terminology, etc.) <Ordinance No. 8235, Dec. 30, 2021>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.