Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Remember your history

Seodaemun Prison

Seodaemum Prison

 

Opened in 1908 as the Gyeongseong Prison, this modern-time colonial prison was used to imprison independence activists until the liberation of Korea in 1945.

 

This place holds the dark memories of the modern history of Korea being remained in use even after the Liberation and until 1987 for imprisoning democratic activists. In 1987, Seoul Detention Center was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do. In 1998, Seodaemun Prison History Hall opened as a part of the Seodamun-gu's sanctification project. It now serves as a place to commemorate the ideals of peace and freedom pursued by the independence and democratic activists.

 

 

 

Seodaemun Prison guide map

 

Exhibition Hall

 

1F(Administration and Security office)

The Administration and Offfice building is used to exhibit the history of construction and expansion of the Seodaemun Prison

 

2F

This place was used as the warden's office. Built in 1923, only the central part had the 2nd floor, but in 1959 it was extended on both sieds.

 

Basement

The basement of the Administration and Security office, where prisoners were investigated and interrogated.

 

 

Central Prison Building

 

Prison Guards who supervised and controlled the prisoners worked here.

 

 

Prison Buildings

 

Built in 1922, these are the buildings in which the prisoners where held.

 

 

Labor Building

 

One of the factory building for forced labor, built in 1923.

 

 

Leper's Building

 

Space for isolating the inmates with leprosy.

 

Reverence Space

 

A space dedicated to the memory of anti-colonial independence activists who lost their lives fighting.

 

Execution Building

 

Used for carrying out the death sentences from the Japanese colonial period the 1987. Built around 1910.

 

 

Corpse Removal Exit

 

Secret door used to take the corps out to the mass grave aftet execution.

 

Gyeokbyeokjang

 

Facility used by inmates for execising. Partitions were installed to facilitate surveillance and contro. Restored in 2011.

 

Storage

 

Bulit in 1916 to be extended three times by 1945, this buliding included warehouse, workshop, auditorium, shower room, infirmary, and office. Restored in 2019.

 

Women's Prison Building

 

Used to detain female inmates waiting for trial. Restored in 2013.

 

Watchtower

 

10m high wathctower adjacent to the wall. It has observation windows on its eight sides. There were originally six such towers, but only two reamin at present.

 

Prison walls

 

This 4m wall surrounded the entire territory of the Seodaemun Prison to prevent prisoners from escaping. Currently, the front section(161m) and the back setion(214m) have been restored.

 

Kitchen Barrack

 

Place where food for inmates was cooked. Its three sections include Cooking Room, Boiler Room, and Shower Room. Restored in 2010

 

 

 

Saedaemun Prison admission fee

 

admission fee