For centuries, Gwanghwamun — the majestic main gate of Seoul’s Gyeongbok Palace — has stood as the symbolic heart of Korean nationhood. Yet its signboard, restored in 2023 to mirror the original 19th-century Chinese calligraphy, remains a flashpoint in a long-simmering battle over culture, history and national identity. The government will launch its first National Forum for All on Sunday, inviting 200 citizens to Yonsei University for an eight-hour marathon debate on the question: Should Korea add a Hangeul (Korean alphabet) plaque alongside the historic Chinese character sign at Gwanghwamun? Organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the deliberation seeks to move beyond binary political shouting matches. Through small-group breakouts, expert panel presentations and real-time mobile polling, participants will wrestle with the tensions between preserving historic authenticity and asserting modern linguistic pride. The stakes go far beyond typography. Purists argue that cultural heritage requires absolute fidelity t