National Assembly Proceeding Hall

Home of South Korea's National Assembly in Yeouido, known for its green dome and 24 columns.

Before 1975 lawmakers used older buildings, including a colonial-era one that is now home to the Seoul Metropolitan Council. The main hall has seats for 400 people, with room to grow in case the Korean peninsula is ever reunited.

How it came to Yeouido

In the 1960s several sites were considered, such as near Namsan and Jongmyo. In late 1967 the speaker announced Yeouido, and in February 1968 the site was confirmed. Work started in 1969 and the building opened in 1975.

The plan was to build a large modern building that Korean engineers could construct and that could handle a future two-chamber parliament and national reunification.

A place for big ceremonies

Many presidents have taken their oath of office here, from Roh Tae-woo in 1988 through to more recent leaders. In December 2024, during the martial law crisis, lawmakers gathered in the building to vote down the declaration, and the soldiers who entered were stopped before they reached the main hall.

Dome, columns and hall

The building is about 122 metres long and 81 metres wide, with two floors underground and six above. Twenty-four octagonal granite columns hold it up, and the number is said to match the 24 solar terms of the traditional Korean calendar. A dome 64 metres wide at the base covers the centre. It was copper-coloured when it was new, but weather turned it blue-green. The plenary hall was designed with moving seats, so it can grow to 400 seats if the number of lawmakers increases. The police guard the whole area as a national key facility.

On the globe

The model shows the green dome and the columns on Yeouido. Count the pillars along the front.