Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

Came back from Suwon, we directly took Seoul Subway Line 3 to Dongnimmun Station.

Seodaemun Independence Park is outside Dongnimmun Station.

Then we followed the crowd to Seodaemun Prison History Hall.

 I got this Korean Flag Taedukgi from Suwon Hwaseong Museum.

Seodaemun prison was built in 1908, is a symbol of Japanese cruelty and oppression

 during their colonial rule of Korea from 1910 until 1945.

 In 1992, the site was dedicated as the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, 

part of Independence Park. Seven of the prison complex's original 

 fifteen buildings are preserved as historical monuments. 

 Seodaemun Prison History Hall was built in remembrance of Seodaemun Prison, 

and to salute the Korean patriots. 

The main hall has three floors of exhibitions:

~ 1st floor - “A Place of Reverence,” 

   you can learn about Seodaemun Prison via the graphic systems.

Video footage about Seodaemun and the transition periods in its history. 

~ 2nd floor - “A Place of History,” 

   to view the “National Resistance Room,” “Prison History Room” and the “In Prison Life Room.” 

   This floor shows examples how the people fought through this dark chapter in history continuing 

   to hold on to their hope and resolve for freedom. 

 

~ 3rd floor - “A Place of Experience” 

   the most horrifying and dreadful place in the prison. In the “Temporary Detention Room” and 

   “Torture Room” you will see recreated torture scenes that are frighteningly realistic.

  

Me inside one of the empty cells.

Visitors can look around and go inside the original prison cell blocks where the independence fighters were held. Built to house 500 prisoners, up to 3500 were packed inside during the height of the anti-Japanese protests in 1919. (source)

The place was crowded that we need to queue to go in

 and couldn't stop to long in order for people to walk.

 

Therefore, we didn't take a lot of photos. It's also sad and disturbing 

to see re-creations of bloody mannequins and brutal torture scenes.

One of the martyrs on memorial board inside the prison wall.

 Stopped by here to offer flower and pay respect to all the patriots.

We didn't enter to another building because of the long queue.

People can write a note or wish on white paper and hang it on these ropes.

Gyeokbyeokjang - some sort of Exercise Facilities with several partition walls 

to prevent prisoners having conversations with each others. It's built in 1920

and dismantled after liberation and restored to its original shape in 2011.

 The Square Pond - originally inside a lacquer ware factory where prisoners worked here

 during Japanese colonial. After liberation, the pond was used for laundry.

Do you know what are those holes for?

They're Excrement holes in Solitary Confinement. These hole were at the corner of the floor where urine and stool were discharged. A drainage outlet of feces still remains at the outer side of jails.

  

Two jumbo size Taegukgi were hanging on the prison walls.

 There were some performances by children at
Seodaemun courtyard.

We also saw a lot of adults in their hanboks taking group photos... I guess after their performance? There were stalls selling foods, there were some free and paid activities for children on March 1st Movement (Samil / Manse) Day.

 Seodaemun Prison History Museum

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea

서울특별시 서대문구 통일로 251 (현저동)

Though we didn't see foreigner here, but I recommend it as it's a meaningful and educational place to learn history of Korea during Japanese occupation. 

 Sorry I've to stop here and continue Dongnimmun

Independence Gate few days later as my eyes

already in sleep mood and will auto shut down soon.

Related Posts:
~ March 1st Movement at Tapgol Park

~ [Suwon City Tour] - Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (화성행궁)

March 1st Movement at Tapgol Park

Oh dear~! Time flies!!! Actually I decided to complete my last year trip before Chinese New Year. Now I'd to skip posting about Unhyeongung and other places we visited on 28 February 2014. It's because I suddenly saw my Korean friend's posting Korean Toast in Cafe with Taegukgi at the background. Then I just remember that February has only 28 days! So, tomorrow is March 1st Movement in Korea.

Last year, exactly this date, we saw Korean flags (태극기 = Taegeukgi) were raised everywhere on our way from Nambu Bus Terminal to Center Mark Hotel.

We called 1330 through Skype to clear of our curiosity.The officer told us that it's because Korean Independence Day! So, I checked with her whether any places that we can attend the ceremony. She then checked and told us Seodaemun and...? I quickly said thank you as the taxi driver couldn't find Center Mark Hotel and my hubby didn't understand what he's saying...

That night when we went to Myeongdong, we saw KTO counter and went there to get more information. Since it's one day ceremony, we stick to our itinerary to go to Suwon in the morning then visit Seodaemun after that.

Coincidentally, we walked passed Tapgol Park on our way from Unhyeongung Palace. This park is another important spot, as it witnessed a great historical value and national spirit of Independence Protest on March 1, 1919.

 

The banner stated something related to March 1st Movement.

The event should be started at 14:00 pm.

 Tapgol Park is historically important as the site of the origin of the March 1st Movement 1919, 

an important part of the Korean independence movement as the first location for the 

reading of the Proclamation of Independence. There are a number of bas-relief statues 

representing Korean patriots, the Proclamation of Independence Monument, 

and a poem by Han Yong-un.

 This park was once a site of Wongaksa (Buddhist Temple). The word tap means "pagoda", 

and the park gets its name from the Wongaksa Pagoda, a 10 storied stone pagoda 

(National Treasure No.2) located in the park.

 Tapgol Park (탑골공원) 

Add: 99, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seou, Korea
서울특별시 종로구 종로 99 (종로2가)

Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3, 5), 

 

 "Viva, Independent Korea~!"

It's 8:25pm... hopefully I can post Seodaemun Independence Gate by tonight, as tomorrow we'll going to Johor Bahru early in the morning and will be back late in the evening.

Related Posts:
Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)