It underwent several refurbishments in 1448 (the 30th year of King Sejong), 1479 (the 10th year of King Seongjong), and 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong). The name "Sungnye" holds the meaning of "courtesy," which is one of the four virtues of Confucianism: in (benevolence), ui (righteousness), ye (courtesy), and ji (wisdom). The signboard of the building was written by Grand Prince Yangnyeong, the firstborn of King Taejong. Sungnyemun Gate is a two-story tower with an arch-shaped gate of Hongyemun Gate in the center of the stone structure with 5 kan (the distance between two columns) in the front and 2 kan at the sides. It has a hip roof with a dapo design (multi-bracket sets placed on the lintels between pillars).

During the Joseon dynasty, the gate was closed at 10 PM every night and opened again at 4 AM the next morning. A bell on top of the gate tower rang to signal the time. Sungnyemun Gate was the place of national ceremonies and events for rain-stopping and rainmaking by the king when the kingdom suffered from heavy flooding or drought. Unfortunately, the fortress walls were demolished during the Korean Empire era. After Sungnyemun Gate was destroyed in the Korean War (1950–1953), it was later repaired in the 1960s. Sungnyemun Gate suffered major damage on February 10, 2008 due to arson. It was finally restored in 2013.