Seodaemun Prison, Prison museum in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea
Seodaemun Prison is a preserved prison site in Seodaemun District in Seoul, South Korea, now serving as a memorial and museum. The compound includes several buildings with cells, watchtowers, and an execution room within high stone walls.
The facility was built in 1908 during Japanese colonial rule and served as a prison until 1987. After the March First Independence Movement, many activists who fought for Korean freedom were imprisoned here.
The preserved cells show the simple wooden bunks and narrow spaces where political prisoners were held during the occupation. Visitors can walk through the corridors and understand the conditions under which resistance fighters lived for decades.
Dongnimmun Station on Subway Line 3 is nearby and offers easy access to the memorial. Visitors should plan around two hours to walk through the buildings and grounds thoroughly.
An underground solitary cell in the basement of the prison commemorates activist Yu Gwansun, who was held there as a teenager. The small chamber shows the harsh conditions faced by young prisoners who protested against the occupation.
Location: Seoul
Inception: October 21, 1908
Phone: +8223608590
Website: https://sphh.sscmc.or.kr
GPS coordinates: 37.57454,126.95632
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29
Seoul offers numerous places beyond its main attractions, each revealing different aspects of the city. Traditional Hanok villages with their distinctive wooden structures and courtyard layouts exist alongside transformed industrial buildings and former royal residences. Gardens, art museums, and historical sites provide access to Korean culture and history. These locations spread across several districts and are reachable by public transportation. The Hanok villages like Ikseon, Bukchon, and Eunpyeong preserve the character of earlier periods. Cultural and artistic spaces including Leeum and the Museum of Korean Buddhist Art display works of significance. Parks such as Seonyudo and Seoul Forest offer green space and rest within the city. The Seodaemun Prison History Hall and Unhyeongung Royal Residence document important chapters in Korea's past. Many of these places have drawn local artists and communities. Mullae Arts Village and Ihwa Mural Village show how neighborhoods have been revived through creative activity. Common Ground and Seoullo 7017 demonstrate how older structures have been converted into new public spaces. Those seeking to explore the city beyond popular routes will discover insights into Korea's varied history and contemporary life.
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