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Seodaemun Prison History Hall — Attraction in Seoul

Name
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Description
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a museum and former prison in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea. It was constructed beginning in 1907. The prison was opened on October 21, 1908, under the name Gyeongseong Gamok. During the early part of the Japanese colonial period it was known as Keijo Prison.
Nearby attractions
Seodaemun Independence Park
251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Dongnimmun Arch (Independence Gate)
941 Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government
279-22 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
The Korean National Police Museum
162 Songwol-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
무악 어린이공원
산2-35 Muak-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Seonbawi
26 Tongil-ro 18ga-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Dilkusha (Albert W. Taylor House)
17 Sajik-ro 2-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Bongwonsa Temple
120 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
월암근린공원
1-44 Songwol-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Inwangsan Mountain Park
Ogin-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Nearby restaurants
Daesungjip
5 Sajik-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
독립밀방 독립문 | Dongnimmun Restaurants | 독립문 맛집 | レストラン | 独立門美食
10-18 Tongil-ro 12-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Papa John's
63-2 Muak-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Vietnam Market Ssalguksu
30 Yeongcheonsijang-gil, Seodaemun-gu, 서울 South Korea
영천시장 원조떡볶이
57-12 Yeongcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Seokgyo Sikdang
183-1 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
피자헛 독립문역점
South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, 상가동 Songwol-gil, 155 4102호
Neungra Bapsang (North Korean Restaurant)
1-64번지 Haengchon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
대성집도가니탕
South Korea, Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Okcheon-dong, 70번지 1층
가츠몽 경희궁자이점
99 Songwol-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Nearby hotels
Related posts
Keywords
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Seodaemun Prison History Hall things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
South KoreaSeoulSeodaemun Prison History Hall

Basic Info

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4.6(3.4K)
Open 24 hours
Save
spot

Ratings & Description

Info

Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a museum and former prison in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea. It was constructed beginning in 1907. The prison was opened on October 21, 1908, under the name Gyeongseong Gamok. During the early part of the Japanese colonial period it was known as Keijo Prison.

Cultural
Accessibility
attractions: Seodaemun Independence Park, Dongnimmun Arch (Independence Gate), National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government, The Korean National Police Museum, 무악 어린이공원, Seonbawi, Dilkusha (Albert W. Taylor House), Bongwonsa Temple, 월암근린공원, Inwangsan Mountain Park, restaurants: Daesungjip, 독립밀방 독립문 | Dongnimmun Restaurants | 독립문 맛집 | レストラン | 独立門美食, Papa John's, Vietnam Market Ssalguksu, 영천시장 원조떡볶이, Seokgyo Sikdang, 피자헛 독립문역점, Neungra Bapsang (North Korean Restaurant), 대성집도가니탕, 가츠몽 경희궁자이점
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Phone
+82 2-363-9750
Website
sphh.sscmc.or.kr

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Reviews

Nearby attractions of Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Independence Park

Dongnimmun Arch (Independence Gate)

National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government

The Korean National Police Museum

무악 어린이공원

Seonbawi

Dilkusha (Albert W. Taylor House)

Bongwonsa Temple

월암근린공원

Inwangsan Mountain Park

Seodaemun Independence Park

Seodaemun Independence Park

4.5

(286)

Open 24 hours
Click for details
Dongnimmun Arch (Independence Gate)

Dongnimmun Arch (Independence Gate)

4.5

(1.1K)

Open until 12:00 AM
Click for details
National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government

National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government

4.6

(136)

Open 24 hours
Click for details
The Korean National Police Museum

The Korean National Police Museum

4.1

(463)

Closed
Click for details

Things to do nearby

Explore night market food
Explore night market food
Mon, Dec 8 • 6:00 PM
Seoul, 종로5.6가동, 종로구, 03195, South Korea
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Craft Your Own Natural Niche Perfume in Hongdae
Tue, Dec 9 • 2:00 PM
Seoul, Seoul, 04073, South Korea
View details
Seoul Pub Crawl
Seoul Pub Crawl
Thu, Dec 11 • 8:00 PM
Seoul, Mapo-gu, 04049, South Korea
View details

Nearby restaurants of Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Daesungjip

독립밀방 독립문 | Dongnimmun Restaurants | 독립문 맛집 | レストラン | 独立門美食

Papa John's

Vietnam Market Ssalguksu

영천시장 원조떡볶이

Seokgyo Sikdang

피자헛 독립문역점

Neungra Bapsang (North Korean Restaurant)

대성집도가니탕

가츠몽 경희궁자이점

Daesungjip

Daesungjip

4.3

(997)

Click for details
독립밀방 독립문 | Dongnimmun Restaurants | 독립문 맛집 | レストラン | 独立門美食

독립밀방 독립문 | Dongnimmun Restaurants | 독립문 맛집 | レストラン | 独立門美食

4.2

(136)

Click for details
Papa John's

Papa John's

3.8

(24)

Click for details
Vietnam Market Ssalguksu

Vietnam Market Ssalguksu

4.4

(163)

Click for details
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Reviews of Seodaemun Prison History Hall

4.6
(3,368)
avatar
5.0
7y

Seodaemun Prison is the only Japanese-style wooden building in existence. Built in 1923, it is the place where patriots across the country were sentenced to death and imprisoned after the transfer. The prison was a place where prisoners were kept, but those who had suffered all sorts of hardships at Seodaemun Prison were patriots who loved their country enough to give their lives. While walking through the Seodaemun Prison, their faces remained unknown. Seodaemun Prison will be viewed in the order of the exhibition hall, the central temple, the 12 Oksa Temple, the duke, Hansen Hospital, the Sunguk Seondeol Memorial, the death row and the Sigumun Gate, Yoo Gwan-soon underground Oksa, the wall and the lookout. When you look around the exhibition space, you will see a memorial that records the names of martyrs of the nation, including Kang Woo-kyu, Ahn Chang-ho and Yoo Gwan-soon. It is a record less than 100 years ago. Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a historical site that prepares for a future that is not ashamed of by taking into account the meaning of the past. Phone number 02-360-8590

Time of use Summer Season (March to October) : 09:30 to 18:00.

Winter season (November to February): 09:30 to 17:00 a holiday Every Monday (the day after the holiday), New Year's Day, Chuseok Day, and January 1st.

서대문형무소는 현존하는 건축물 중 유일한 일본풍 목조 건물이다. 1923년 지은, 사형 선고를 받고 투옥된 전국의 애국지사들이 이감 후 생을 마감한 장소다. 형무소는 죄인들을 감금하는 곳이지만, 서대문형무소에서 온갖 고초를 당한 이들은 목숨을 바칠 만큼 나라를 사랑한 애국지사들이었다. 서대문형무소를 걷는 내내 얼굴도 모르는 그들의 모습이 떠나지 않았다. 서대문형무소는 전시관, 중앙사, 12옥사, 공작사, 한센병원, 순국선열추모비, 사형장과 시구문, 유관순 지하 옥사, 담장과 망루의 순으로 관람한다. 전시 공간을 두루 돌아보고 나오면 강우규, 안창호, 유관순 열사 등 순국열사의 이름을 기록한 추모비가 눈에 띈다. 채 100년도 되지 않은 지난날의 기록이다. 서대문형무소역사관은 과거의 의미를 아로새겨 부끄럽지 않은 미래를 준비하는 역사의 장이다. 전화번호 02-360-8590

이용시간 여름철 ( 3 10월) : 09:30 18:00

겨울철 (11 2월) : 09:30 17:00 휴무일 매주 월요일(공휴일에는 다음날), 설 당일, 추석 당일, 1월 1일

아이들의 역사관을 심어주기 위한 좋은 곳입니다. 많은 관람객들이 봐서 그런지 휴일에는 들어가는 줄이 길게 있지만 기다려서 관람을 하였습니다. 서대문 형무소 전체가 남아있지는 않고 주요건물 몇채만 보존이 되이 있습니다. 일제의 만행에 대해 사실적으로 전시가 되어 있습니다. 본건물로 들어가면 지하1층 지상2층으로 구성이 되어 있으며 관람순서는 1층 . 지하1층. 2층 으로 되어 있습니다. 관람을 마치고 나면 야외 대형태극기 앞에서 많은 사람들이 사진을 찍습니다. 커가는 아이들의 역사관을...

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avatar
5.0
1y

I am writing this review because I came across a deeply unsettling Japanese comment. This place stands as a representation of historical truth and a space of testimony. If you feel it is overly provocative or anti-Japanese, it is because Japan truly committed these actions, not because Korea has distorted history to attack Japan. Japan’s seizure of Korea’s diplomatic sovereignty, the erasure of Korean traditional culture, and the torture and killing of Korean resisters were all results of Imperial Japan’s colonial rule. Claiming that this place is “part of the tragedies of war” is entirely wrong. This history clearly identifies Japan as the aggressor and Korea as the victim. Japan colonized Korea for its own benefit and waged wars that left deep scars on the world. Even today, war criminals are enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine, and some Japanese politicians and citizens continue to honor them. Many modern Japanese people speak of “peace.” But too often, this concept of peace is built on a foundation of silence about the truth. Does minimizing the atrocities of Imperial Japan truly lead to peace? Of course, as you mentioned, the current generation of Japanese people does not need to carry excessive guilt. However, acknowledging history honestly and confronting the fact that Japan was the aggressor in its relationship with Korea is essential. Without this acknowledgment, genuine peace between Korea and Japan will remain...

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avatar
4.0
3y

Seodaemun prison is the place where korea anti Japanese activists were imprisoned and tortured. It is located in Seoul and you can find it by walking out of Exit 5 of Independent Gate Station. Seodaemun prison is open from 9:00 to 18:30. You have to make a reservation on the internet to enter the place. Admission is 3000 won for adults, 1500 won for teenagers, and free for senior citizens and people of national merit. In the main buildng, there is an exhibition hall about independence activists during the Japanese colonial period. It takes two hours to look around this place. There is a place that depicts the death penalty or a space that reproduces torture, so you can feel it vividly. You will understand well if you download the app and watch it while listening to the audio explanation. Seodaemun prison is a valuable palce to understand the...

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Henry GoodHenry Good
Seodaemun Prison is the only Japanese-style wooden building in existence. Built in 1923, it is the place where patriots across the country were sentenced to death and imprisoned after the transfer. The prison was a place where prisoners were kept, but those who had suffered all sorts of hardships at Seodaemun Prison were patriots who loved their country enough to give their lives. While walking through the Seodaemun Prison, their faces remained unknown. Seodaemun Prison will be viewed in the order of the exhibition hall, the central temple, the 12 Oksa Temple, the duke, Hansen Hospital, the Sunguk Seondeol Memorial, the death row and the Sigumun Gate, Yoo Gwan-soon underground Oksa, the wall and the lookout. When you look around the exhibition space, you will see a memorial that records the names of martyrs of the nation, including Kang Woo-kyu, Ahn Chang-ho and Yoo Gwan-soon. It is a record less than 100 years ago. Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a historical site that prepares for a future that is not ashamed of by taking into account the meaning of the past. Phone number 02-360-8590 Time of use Summer Season (March to October) : 09:30 to 18:00. Winter season (November to February): 09:30 to 17:00 a holiday Every Monday (the day after the holiday), New Year's Day, Chuseok Day, and January 1st. 서대문형무소는 현존하는 건축물 중 유일한 일본풍 목조 건물이다. 1923년 지은, 사형 선고를 받고 투옥된 전국의 애국지사들이 이감 후 생을 마감한 장소다. 형무소는 죄인들을 감금하는 곳이지만, 서대문형무소에서 온갖 고초를 당한 이들은 목숨을 바칠 만큼 나라를 사랑한 애국지사들이었다. 서대문형무소를 걷는 내내 얼굴도 모르는 그들의 모습이 떠나지 않았다. 서대문형무소는 전시관, 중앙사, 12옥사, 공작사, 한센병원, 순국선열추모비, 사형장과 시구문, 유관순 지하 옥사, 담장과 망루의 순으로 관람한다. 전시 공간을 두루 돌아보고 나오면 강우규, 안창호, 유관순 열사 등 순국열사의 이름을 기록한 추모비가 눈에 띈다. 채 100년도 되지 않은 지난날의 기록이다. 서대문형무소역사관은 과거의 의미를 아로새겨 부끄럽지 않은 미래를 준비하는 역사의 장이다. 전화번호 02-360-8590 이용시간 여름철 ( 3 ~ 10월) : 09:30 ~ 18:00 겨울철 (11 ~ 2월) : 09:30 ~ 17:00 휴무일 매주 월요일(공휴일에는 다음날), 설 당일, 추석 당일, 1월 1일 아이들의 역사관을 심어주기 위한 좋은 곳입니다. 많은 관람객들이 봐서 그런지 휴일에는 들어가는 줄이 길게 있지만 기다려서 관람을 하였습니다. 서대문 형무소 전체가 남아있지는 않고 주요건물 몇채만 보존이 되이 있습니다. 일제의 만행에 대해 사실적으로 전시가 되어 있습니다. 본건물로 들어가면 지하1층 지상2층으로 구성이 되어 있으며 관람순서는 1층 . 지하1층. 2층 으로 되어 있습니다. 관람을 마치고 나면 야외 대형태극기 앞에서 많은 사람들이 사진을 찍습니다. 커가는 아이들의 역사관을 심어주는 좋은 장소입니다.
AsliAsli
This will be one of the most unforgettable places I've visited in my life. Definitely a must-visit. I went there on a very cold winter day and could actually emphasize that biting cold once the prisoners have felt here during their custody. The way everywhere felt bright and luminous was also a delusion since guardians used this a psychological pressure to the prisoners as they gave the impression that they could see every movement or any attempt to raid. The way the walls were so high in the execution building was another thing affected me deeply.. They used the walls to hide these execution trials.. And that secret passage... I saw someone said you should visit this place before you leave Korea and I did that on my last days before I left the country. I'm glad I visited this place and saw another face us people have and generally turn our eyes from.
Miles MacdonaldMiles Macdonald
Excellent museum with many displays and plenty of material to read. I had no problem spending the whole morning here. It is a grim period of history, and this museum details not only the barbaric treatment of Korean prisoners but their struggle for freedom and independence from Japanese imperialism. Many "political" prisoners were tortured and executed here. But many also died from the unsanitary and harsh living conditions. When I visited, over 90% of the visitors were children, school groups who treated this place as entertainment and didn't even read any of the many information boards. Sadly, the significance of this place in modern Korean history is lost on them. I hope they will return one day as adults and give this place the respect and reverence it deserves. Free to visit if you are 65+
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Seodaemun Prison is the only Japanese-style wooden building in existence. Built in 1923, it is the place where patriots across the country were sentenced to death and imprisoned after the transfer. The prison was a place where prisoners were kept, but those who had suffered all sorts of hardships at Seodaemun Prison were patriots who loved their country enough to give their lives. While walking through the Seodaemun Prison, their faces remained unknown. Seodaemun Prison will be viewed in the order of the exhibition hall, the central temple, the 12 Oksa Temple, the duke, Hansen Hospital, the Sunguk Seondeol Memorial, the death row and the Sigumun Gate, Yoo Gwan-soon underground Oksa, the wall and the lookout. When you look around the exhibition space, you will see a memorial that records the names of martyrs of the nation, including Kang Woo-kyu, Ahn Chang-ho and Yoo Gwan-soon. It is a record less than 100 years ago. Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a historical site that prepares for a future that is not ashamed of by taking into account the meaning of the past. Phone number 02-360-8590 Time of use Summer Season (March to October) : 09:30 to 18:00. Winter season (November to February): 09:30 to 17:00 a holiday Every Monday (the day after the holiday), New Year's Day, Chuseok Day, and January 1st. 서대문형무소는 현존하는 건축물 중 유일한 일본풍 목조 건물이다. 1923년 지은, 사형 선고를 받고 투옥된 전국의 애국지사들이 이감 후 생을 마감한 장소다. 형무소는 죄인들을 감금하는 곳이지만, 서대문형무소에서 온갖 고초를 당한 이들은 목숨을 바칠 만큼 나라를 사랑한 애국지사들이었다. 서대문형무소를 걷는 내내 얼굴도 모르는 그들의 모습이 떠나지 않았다. 서대문형무소는 전시관, 중앙사, 12옥사, 공작사, 한센병원, 순국선열추모비, 사형장과 시구문, 유관순 지하 옥사, 담장과 망루의 순으로 관람한다. 전시 공간을 두루 돌아보고 나오면 강우규, 안창호, 유관순 열사 등 순국열사의 이름을 기록한 추모비가 눈에 띈다. 채 100년도 되지 않은 지난날의 기록이다. 서대문형무소역사관은 과거의 의미를 아로새겨 부끄럽지 않은 미래를 준비하는 역사의 장이다. 전화번호 02-360-8590 이용시간 여름철 ( 3 ~ 10월) : 09:30 ~ 18:00 겨울철 (11 ~ 2월) : 09:30 ~ 17:00 휴무일 매주 월요일(공휴일에는 다음날), 설 당일, 추석 당일, 1월 1일 아이들의 역사관을 심어주기 위한 좋은 곳입니다. 많은 관람객들이 봐서 그런지 휴일에는 들어가는 줄이 길게 있지만 기다려서 관람을 하였습니다. 서대문 형무소 전체가 남아있지는 않고 주요건물 몇채만 보존이 되이 있습니다. 일제의 만행에 대해 사실적으로 전시가 되어 있습니다. 본건물로 들어가면 지하1층 지상2층으로 구성이 되어 있으며 관람순서는 1층 . 지하1층. 2층 으로 되어 있습니다. 관람을 마치고 나면 야외 대형태극기 앞에서 많은 사람들이 사진을 찍습니다. 커가는 아이들의 역사관을 심어주는 좋은 장소입니다.
Henry Good

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This will be one of the most unforgettable places I've visited in my life. Definitely a must-visit. I went there on a very cold winter day and could actually emphasize that biting cold once the prisoners have felt here during their custody. The way everywhere felt bright and luminous was also a delusion since guardians used this a psychological pressure to the prisoners as they gave the impression that they could see every movement or any attempt to raid. The way the walls were so high in the execution building was another thing affected me deeply.. They used the walls to hide these execution trials.. And that secret passage... I saw someone said you should visit this place before you leave Korea and I did that on my last days before I left the country. I'm glad I visited this place and saw another face us people have and generally turn our eyes from.
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Excellent museum with many displays and plenty of material to read. I had no problem spending the whole morning here. It is a grim period of history, and this museum details not only the barbaric treatment of Korean prisoners but their struggle for freedom and independence from Japanese imperialism. Many "political" prisoners were tortured and executed here. But many also died from the unsanitary and harsh living conditions. When I visited, over 90% of the visitors were children, school groups who treated this place as entertainment and didn't even read any of the many information boards. Sadly, the significance of this place in modern Korean history is lost on them. I hope they will return one day as adults and give this place the respect and reverence it deserves. Free to visit if you are 65+
Miles Macdonald

Miles Macdonald

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