The Seodaemun Prison History Museum is a place where you can feel the painful history of Korea. Now it has been changed to a museum rather than a prison, but it is an educational and culturally important place because it preserves the feeling of the site at that time.

Seodaemun prison history museum

The name has been changed to Seodaemun Independence Park. This building was built during the Japanese colonial era and was used as a concentration camp for Korean political prisoners. As a place where many Korean independence activists were imprisoned, tortured, and executed, it became a symbol of the dark history of the Japanese colonial period. After independence, it was used as a camp for prisoners of war and a juvenile detention center. In 1992, it became a museum and park, and many people visit it.

1. Location

Seodaemun Prison is located at Dongnimmun Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. Seoul Subway Line 3 is right next to Gyeongbokgung Station, which is visited by many tourists.

2. Opening hours

Summer season (Mar. ~ Oct.) - 09:30 ~ 18:00 (last entry 17:30)

Winter season (Nov. ~ Feb.) - 09:30 ~ 17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Closed day

New year's day (Jan. 1st)

Seollal (Lunar New year's day)

Chuseok (Lunar Aug. 15th)

3. Entrance fee

Adult : 3,000 won (Age 19~ 64)

Teenager : 1,500 won (Age 13 ~ 18)

Children : 1,000 won (Age 7 ~ 12)

Group discount (20 persons or more)

Adult : 2,400 won (Age 19~ 64)

Teenager : 1,200 won (Age 13 ~ 18)

Children : 800 won (Age 7 ~ 12)

4. Docent tour

The docent tour is free and available in 4 languages (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese). Docent tours must be reserved in advance, and only 20 or fewer visitors can participate in the tour at one time.

To be honest, it is not easy for foreigners to make a reservation. If possible, ask Koreans around you the day before your visit.

The time (except Korean)

English tour - 10:00 (Wed. and Thu.), 15:00 (Tue. and Thu.)

Japanese tour - 11:00 (Sat.)

Chinese tour - 11:00 (Fri.)

5. Tips

If you go to Seodaemun Prison history museum, you will know, but since the museum are surrounded by mountains and residential areas, the schedule after that can be vague. If possible, I think it would be a good schedule to listen to the English tour at 10 o'clock, go to Gyeongbokgung Palace, tour, and eat in Bukchon or Seochon.

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