Discovering Namsan Seoul Tower: Seoul’s Iconic Landmark

Do you know this tower located in the center of Seoul, in Yongsan? Namsan Tower, officially named Namsan Seoul Tower, is a landmark representing Seoul, located on Namsan Mountain in Yongsan-gu. It attracts 12 million visitors annually and is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

With a height of 236.7 meters, the tower is not particularly high, but because it is situated on a mountain, the combined elevation reaches 479.7 meters. This is why the Namsan Tower can always be seen between buildings when wandering around Seoul.



|Contrary to its modern design, Namsan Tower has a long history. Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1975. Before the tower was built, there were several broadcasting transmission towers. A policy was promoted to consolidate and integrate these transmission towers, leading to the construction of Namsan Seoul Tower.


National Archives of Korea

However, the main purpose of establishing this tower was to transmit jamming signals to block North Korean radio broadcasts, which could be received throughout Seoul, and North Korean TV broadcasts, which could be viewed in the northern part of Seoul. The reason for the long antenna on Namsan Tower is because it was equipped with signal jamming capabilities.


1972

When it was first completed, its name was "Seoul Tower." Initially, it was in a form without an observatory, but later, an observatory was built for tourism, giving it its current appearance. However, in the early days of its opening, the observatory was not open as it showed a view of the Blue House, where the president resides. It wasn't opened until 1980. Even now, there are no telescopes pointing towards the Blue House. In 2022, the president's office moved to Yongsan, and now photography towards Yongsan is prohibited.


National Archives of Korea, 1985

In the 2000s, many broadcasting stations moved their transmission points, and Namsan was demoted to a relay station for certain areas. The owner changed to a private company, CJ, and it has become famous as a landmark rather than for its original functions. CJ, known for its famous restaurants and food, manages many delicious and Korean-style restaurants in Namsam tower, which makes it a must-visit place in Seoul.


Namsan Seoultower Website

The tower can adjust the color of its lights, and often conveys messages through it. During the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, the lights were changed to the colors of the French flag to mourn the victims, and during the invasion of Ukraine, the lights were changed to symbolize the Ukrainian flag. When the Beirut explosion occurred in 2020, the lights were changed to the colors of the Lebanese flag to mourn the victims.

연합뉴스

There are many things to enjoy inside the tower. From the first to the fourth floor, you can see large OLED panels. Global companies LG Electronics and LG Display have installed 248 55-inch OLED panels to showcase the world's largest advanced media art installation.






Namsan Seoultower Website

The most famous feature is the observatory with locks. As of 2018, the locks' weight is estimated to be 82 tons, indicating an enormous number of locks. The weight does not continue to increase as the management team removes locks that obstruct the view or are corroded. Couples usually attach locks to pledge their eternal love. There are many places near Namsan Tower that sell locks, so if you visit, consider buying one and attaching it.


서울신문

It is recommended to take the cable car near Myeong-dong Station. Although taking a bus might be more convenient, the cable car has historical significance as the first passenger cable car in Korea. Take the cable car through the Namsan forest and take a trip back into Korean history.