▒ Leading the way SNU ▒

The new Museum of Art is a stunning new addition to SNU's campus. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the art museum links the university with the local community. No doors were built inside this six-story building (floor area approximately 4,500㎡) in order to create an organic link between exhibition halls, classrooms, the library and lounges. Such openness represents the basic philosophy of the Museum of Art. Local community members are welcome to tour the holdings and participate in ongoing events.

Originally founded as the royal library in 1776 in the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace by King Jeongjo, Kyujanggak has not only survived the tumult of court intrigue, invasion and colonial rule, but has continued to expand. The Kyujanggak collections now contain over 260,000 items, such as The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (Joseon Wangjo Silok) and the Diary of the Office of Royal Secretaries (Seungjeongwon Ilgi), both designated UNESCO World Documentary Heritages. Kyujanggak houses the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, a leading center of research, publication, and international, interdisciplinary coordination in the field of Korean Studies.

The "Acropolis" refers to the area between the Administrative Building and the Central Library. It is named after the ancient Greek original, where the first seeds of democracy were sown. As the name signifies, the Acropolis is where many of Korea’s key democratic movements started. Today, the area is widely used for the Student Body‘s campaigns as well as various student activities.

Beoduel Valley is SNU's famous grass field located between the College of Education and circulation beltway. The gentle hills are open to plenty of sunlight, attracting SNU community members as well as hikers and picnickers who want to enjoy a bit of relaxation as they take a moment out from their busy lives.

One of the most picturesque spots on campus, 'Jahayeon' literally means 'pond surrounded by purple mist.' The name originates from Shin Wi, a renowned eighteenth-century scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. It is also an ideal place to sit and take in the varying scenes according to the season.

Area in front of the University Cultural Center

Located next to Jahayeon, the area in front of the Cultural Center bustles with many students. For this reason, it is a popular site for many events, including the well-known International Food Festival and various musical performances. Recruiting booths for clubs are also frequently set up here.

During the 1980s, in order to prevent student demonstrators from chipping off pieces of the sidewalk to use in their demonstrations, the school administration coated the campus with cement. As the political environment changed, there no longer was a need to continue this and in 2005, the "Walkable Street" was made.

Students weary from studying can enjoy a moment of relaxation at Doraji. Prior to the Central Library's renovation in 2007, students had no resting area and had to loiter around the corridors and sit on the stairs during their breaks. With this new facility, the Central Library is not only an ideal place for academia, but for some peace and quiet.

Literally translated, the Dahyangmandang is “The House Filled with Scents of Tea”. It is a Korean traditional tea house that is an ideal place to add a refreshing twist to one’s usual busy schedule. The scent of chrysanthemum tea blends perfectly with the sunlight that envelopes the tea house.

Also the most coveted area by engineering students, the cafe inside Sinyang Hall is a place where students can enjoy the simple and clean interior, state-of-the-art computers, and affordable yet delicious coffee.

Inarguably, FANCO is the place where one can find the largest number of international students on campus. It is located in the Language Education Institute, and is a home-away-from-home to learners of the Korean language who wish to sit down for some socializing. The Department of Food and Nutrition is responsible for the operation, guaranteeing the good quality of the pastries and coffee served. It is also host to various cultural events.

The Computer Center operates a campus-wide wired/wireless broadband network. It has also developed an integrated administrative information system (SNU portal) to process tasks related to education, research and administration efficiently. Faculty, administrative staff and students can use high-tech multimedia facilities for free at the University Computer Center.

During the day the Student Center is a resting area for students between classes, but when the sun sets, it livens up with various performances-- ballroom dancing, hip-hop, jazz, etc. There is also a piano on one side of the stage, open to anyone who wants to show off their skills.

Otherwise known as 'Building #301' or the 'New Engineering Building', the 1st Engineering Building is the highest building on Gwanak campus. The exterior of the building, constructed in 1996, is made of glass, acting as a mirror that reflects the elegance of Gwanak Mountain.

In 1961, the former College of Liberal Arts & Sciences erected the April 19th Student Revolution Memorial in celebration of the famous democratic movement that took place in 1960. Upon the school's relocation to Gwanak, the Memorial found its new home in the April 19th Park near the waterfall by the College of Engineering. The Memorial is now located near Doore Cultural Center, after the relocation of the April 19th Park to the same place. The Memorial holds the words: "The Ivory Tower is the seeker of Truth and the protector of Justice. The uprising in April, which erupted from sorrow and anger, is an obvious righteous cause, and a cry of Justice.”

Located near Building Number 50, the bust of Jang Bal was sculptured to commemorate Jang's contribution to SNU in establishing the College of Fine Arts in 1946 and also in serving as its first Dean. The brother of former Prime Minister Jang Myeon, Jang Bal was nominated as the 6th Notable Alumnus during SNU's 50th Anniversary Ceremony in 1996. The writing on the plaque is by the late Professor Park Sae-Won, and the sculpture by Professor Emeritus Choi Eui-Hyeung.

Twin Cranes, symbolizing SNU, was unveiled on October 14th, 1998 to commemorate the 52th anniversary of the school. Alumnus Lee Hyung-Kuk (Economics, '68) funded the production led by Professor Emeritus Eum Tae-Jeong of the Department of Sculpture. Depicted is the spread legs and wings of the cranes, and beneath it are the words of former Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, "To the Future with Countrymen", on an obsidian plaque.

Figure in front of the College of Agriculture

Celebrating the Centennial of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hong Dong-Moon (Agricultural Chemistry, ’ 70), funded the production led by Professor Choi In-Soo. The open circle is the center of attention and yet at the same time allows the eyes to see the openness of space. This signifies the future-oriented nature of academic studies.

Of the 800 kinds of trees planted around campus, the cherry trees are the most noticed, creating a breath-taking scene when their blossoms are in full bloom.

The bust of Hyun Jae-Myung, who was a musician, founder of Kyungsung School of Music, and the first dean of SNU's College of Music, is located in front of Building Number 54. Hyun composed and conducted the first Korean Opera "Chun Hyang Jeon" in 1950, and composed the well-known "Prince Hodong" in 1958. The College of Music Alumni Association funded the production of the sculpture and presented it to the school on October 16th, 1961.

With holdings of over 7,200 rare metals, gems, paintings and other pieces of art, the Museum is a treasure trove of Korean artifacts and art objects. In addition to a permanent exhibition of traditional arts and anthropological folklore, it hosts special exhibitions and lectures open to students, faculty and staff members, and the general public. It contains four exhibition halls, a library, research labs and facilities for preservation of library materials, as well as an auditorium with 200 seats. Visitors welcome.

POSCO Sports Center contains an Olympic-size swimming pool, weight room, golf ranges, squash/racquetball courts and multipurpose fitness rooms. Wide-ranging instructional courses are available for members. Shower rooms and sauna facilities are located on the first and third floors.

Located on the first floor of Building 920 on the premises of Gwanak-sa, Global House is the only vendor of alcohol on campus. As in any bar or pub, the usual beer and snacks are on offer. What makes Global House special, however, is the fact that its spacious table layout and a large number of foreign students create a truly global atmosphere. Global House is open until 2:00 am, welcoming students who wish to drop by for a chat and a drink.

Seoul National University Library is the university's main research library. Its holdings number over 3 million volumes, and include 10,000 academic journals and 33,000 electronic journals. Seven subsidiary libraries specializing in social sciences, business administration, international studies, agriculture, as well as legal, medical and dental studies are located across campus.