National Assembly Building

The National Assembly Building stands at 1 Uisadang-daero in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District, on Yeouido by the Han River. Its blue dome represents parliamentary democracy, while 24 surrounding pillars stand for the range of public opinions discussed inside. You can walk the grounds, where a small park and statues sit, or reserve a free guided tour of the main assembly hall to learn about South Korea’s political system. The building is a working legislature, so access to the interior depends on tour arrangements and parliamentary business.

The dome and the pillars

The National Assembly Building is where members of South Korea’s legislature discuss state affairs. The main structure is a stone building with one underground floor and seven above-ground floors. Its modern design incorporates traditional Korean elements.

Twenty-four pillars surround the building. They represent the different opinions of the people. The dome carries a related idea: parliamentary democracy brings opposing views into discussion before reaching a conclusion. The blue dome is also associated with Korean unity.

Tours and the grounds

Guided tours take visitors through the main assembly hall and introduce South Korea’s political system. The tour lasts about 30 minutes, and advance registration is required. One visitor booked online several days before arriving. Tours are in Korean; on a quiet day, there may be an opportunity to ask questions in English. A weekday reservation was once canceled because of an unplanned meeting, so consider the suggested weekend visit when planning.

The grounds can be visited from outside, with a small park and statues to see. The National Assembly complex also includes committee conference rooms, the Speaker’s residence, Members’ Hall and other facilities. The site is beside the Han River, making a walk along the river a natural addition to a visit.