Seodaemun Prison History Hall, History museum in Seodaemun District, South Korea.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall preserves seven buildings from the original complex, with cells, torture chambers, and exhibition spaces throughout. The layout shows how the facility was organized and what conditions the inmates faced.
The prison was built in 1908 during Japanese colonial rule and held thousands of Korean independence activists until 1945. After closure as a penal facility in 1987, it became a museum dedicated to that period.
The hall presents stories of resistance fighters through photographs, personal items, and recreated scenes that show how prisoners lived day to day. Visitors can connect with the human experiences and understand why these individuals matter so much to Korean history.
The museum sits near Dongnimmun Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, making it simple to reach. Audio guides in several languages are available, along with both guided and self-guided tour options.
The prison follows a panopticon design, which allowed guards to observe all inmates from a central vantage point. This system was remarkable because prisoners never knew whether they were being watched at any given moment.
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