Korea’s first legation building in the United States has been designated part of a walking trail in Washington D.C.

According to the South Korean Embassy in the United States, Cultural Tourism D.C., Logan Circle Heritage Trail Working Group and the Logan Circle Community Association officially unveiled D.C.’s newest walking trail, “A Fitting Tribute: Logan Circle Heritage Trail,” on Saturday.

Korea’s first legation building in the U.S. is included in the 2.4-km trail.

The unveiling ceremony showcased the trail’s seventh sign, which includes the history of the building as a highlight of the trail. 

The ceremony had symbolic meaning because the seventh sign was chosen from among 15 that comprise the Logan Circle Heritage Trail, the embassy said on its website.

The event began at 3 p.m. with remarks and the ceremonial unveiling of the sign in Logan Circle Park, followed by a mini tour and one-day open house of historic buildings in Logan Circle.

The legation building at 15 Logan Circle was purchased for $25,000 in 1889 by King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty, which was Korea’s last royal dynasty.

It served as the Korean Legation for 16 years until Korea’s diplomatic independence was lost to Imperial Japan in 1905. When Japan annexed Korea by force five years later, the building was forcibly sold to Japan for just $5 and then sold to a third party.

For over a century, the building has had various American owners. In 2012, the Korean government successfully reclaimed its old legation when it purchased the building from private ownership.

By Chun Sung-woo  (swchun@heraldcorp.com)