Seodaemun Prison | ||||
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Seodaemun Prison is located near Dongnimmun
(Independence Gate). It was forcibly built during the Japanese occupation (1910-45). It has stood for almost 80
years as a living historical reminder of the ordeals, grief, and tumultuous events of modern Korean history.
When Japanese occupied Korea by force, they started to build the prison in 1907. It was completed on October 21,
1908, and opened under the name of Gyeongseong Gamok (a traditional name for a prison). As Korean sovereignty
was being infringed by Japan, an Independence Movement was launched by numerous patriotic fighters.
Upset by this movement, the Japanese started to construct another prison at Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, to arrest and
imprison national patriots. They renamed the first prison Seodaemun Gamok in September 1912. The name of
the prison was again changed to Seodaemun Hyeoungmuso (Seodaemun Prison) on May 5,
1923. Until the Liberation of Korea on August 15, 1945, it served as a clandestine Mecca of the anti-Japanese
Independence Movement for many patriotic fighters, where they were imprisoned and tortured. Many were executed
or died from their brutal treatment.
The name was again changed several times later. When Seoul Guchiso (a detention camp) was moved to Uiwang,
Gyeonggi Province, on November 15,1987, the area where the prison was located was turned into Seodaemun
Independence Park. It was dedicated on August 15, 1992, on the occasion of commemorating the 47th Independence
Day, after a renovation project started in 1988. The park preserves 7 prison buildings in consideration of their
historical significance and value. The prison buildings (numbers 10, 11, and 12) and the Execution Building were
collectively designated as National Historical Site #324 on February 20, 1988. Additionaly, prison buildings 9 and
13, the Central Building, Leper's Building, Security Building, and the prison's walls and watchtowers have been
preserved.
In 1995, Seodaemun-gu began a project to make the National Historical Sites of Seodaemun Independence Park a
sanctuary by renovating it and opened the Seodaemun Prison History Hall. The project aimed to honor and pay
tribute to the spirit of Korea's patriotic ancestors who bravely devoted their lives to resisting the Japanese,
despite imprisonment, harsh torture, and threat of death. The site is used as a living history education site
to remind future generations of their noble spirit of independence.Hours: Mar. ~ Oct. - 09:30 ~ 18:00 Nov. ~ Feb. - 09:30 ~ 17:00 Closed: Jan. 1, Lunar New Year, Harvest Moon Festival (Chuseok), Mondays (If a holiday falls on a Monday, closed the next day.) Admission: Adults: 1,500 won / Youths: 1,000 won / Children: 500 won Directions: Subway line 3, Dongnimmun Station, exits 4 & 5
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