185page


185page

Miari Gogae The Miari Gogae(pass) used to be one of the main gateways of the capital city of Seoul before it grew to the present size in its modern development. It was for a long time the most important entrance point to the city from the north for travellers and military strategists. It was once called Toenumichae, or in its Sino-Korean translation, Chokyuryong, Legend has it that the name originated from the fact that the Manchu army made its way through this point in 1636 in the invasion generally known sa "Pyongcharhoran," toenom meaning "norther babarians," and toenumichae "the passgeway of northern babarians." The contemporary name of the neighborhood, Tonamdong, is said to have been derived from the same origin. During the Korean War, the North Korean Army, on its way to Seoul, passed this point to occupy the capital, At the time of North Korean retreat from the capital, many nationalist leaders were taken north through this ancient route, which provided a theme to the once popular song, "The Heartbreak Miari Gogae." On the occasion of commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Liberation of Kore ar from Japanese occupation, the Songbuk District Office of the City of Seoul decided to construch a citizens'park in the area including the old city wall and the restored look out towers where the newly broadened through Street crosses the city wall This tablet is erected in the month of December 1995 to mark the completion of the construction work. District of Songbuk City of Seoul