Seodaemun Prison History Hall
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Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Prison History Hall
4.5
Educational sitesHistory Museums
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Seodaemun
Walk within this area, centered on what used to be the western gate of traditional Seoul, and you'll get a glimpse of Korea’s past through the beautiful and historic buildings that are scattered throughout. Whether wandering around Deoksugung’s palace walls or touring more historically somber sites such as Seodaemun Prison, this is one of the best places for culture, architecture, and history lovers. Jeongdong in particular is a beautiful place for a stroll in spring and autumn.
How to get there
  • Donon • 2 min walk
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles387 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
174
Average
39
Poor
3
Terrible
3

TRAVLINCOP
Henderson, NV238 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
The history behind the museum and the atrocities that were conducted there should never be forgotten. It is now just a lesson on the history of how the Japanese held, treated and executed 100’s of Koreans in the early 1900’s.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,495 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
This historic landmark, located at the Seodaemun (Western Gate) neighborhood, may be a bit away from the major tourist attractions. However, it is well worth a short trip to understand Korea's colonial past.

Serving as the principal detention centre of liberation and democratic activists in different historic periods, it is an elaborative museum with some graphic illustrations of torture and interrogation. The building itself is also pretty intact and perhaps depressing for some. While Japanese atrocities are described in great detail, scant mention is placed on the suffering of democrats in the military dictatorship period.

Unfortunately this place still remains a local sight with very few foreigners.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JCY
Hong Kong, China44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Solo
This museum is currently open for visit (despite that some other museums may have closed for covid). Popular among locals and students for school visits. A few minutes' walk from metro.
Built under Japanese occupation, this prison operated for 8 decades from 1908 to 1987 in which independence patriots and democratic activists were imprisoned.
Exhibition halls and visit routes are well planned. Most of the displays have English introduction. Truly worth a visit.
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveltheorient
San Antonio, TX605 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This was a very sombering, unique learning experience. Everything was well marked and easy to understand and follow.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sean B
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
As a Westerner who has lived in Korea for a while, I've been interested in learning more about the Japanese colonial period of the country. This museum provides a lot of interesting information on that period as well as the prison itself. I feel as if this place is a little underrated and should draw more international visitors than it does (granted it's Covid time).
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paola
Manila, Philippines6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Last week, I was able to participate in a night tour of the Prison Hall, complete with poetry reading and song performance based on the poems of the Korean patriots during the Japanese rule. Some of the torture equipment is still present, and you can also experience being caged in a small box barely enough for someone to stand, let alone eat or do anything else. I felt suffocated after a few minutes--I can't imagine being there for hours or days. But perhaps the highlight of the event is the re-enactment of how the Korean prisoners were mentally and physically tortured by the Japanese soldiers. Because of this performance, I was able to get a glimpse of the horrors and bravery of the Korean Independence Fighters. It was a mind-opening tour.

I went here alone last November 2019, before Covid closed most museums, and then came again on a tour with Funday Korea Networks this October 2020. It was nice to visit both day and night. It will probably take around an hour or so to do a tour. Most buildings have English translations but some do not. Both are very nice experience, but I recommend you book a tour guide (when it is available).
Written 21 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Moriah
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Solo
Coming to Korea I was completely ignorant to the history of the country. This trip gives excellent context to the impact the Japanese Occupation had on this country. I’d recommend anyone new to Korea come here.
Written 20 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GlobetrotterJ16
Seoul, South Korea2,030 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020
We were lucky that we visited a few days before all museums were closed in Seoul. This museum is good to visit on a sunny day as there is quite a bit of outdoor walking required to get from building to building. Overall an interesting and historic place that gives good insights especially about the Japanese occupation. The museum is spread out in several buildings, from main building, guard building and the building with jail cells. In a lot of the cells people who led and fought in the resistance are introduced which gives everything a personal touch.
Nearby the museum is a nice pork which is worth a stroll when the weather allows. To get to the museum is fairly easy, a subway station is right there plus many bus stops.
Written 21 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kat
Seoul, South Korea2,117 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Last week I went to visit Seodaemun Prison - a former prison that first opened in 1908. It was used during the Japanese colonial era where Korean Freedom Activists were imprisoned and tortured. After the colonial era ended in 1945, the prison was used by Korean government until 1987. In 1992 it became the Seodaemun Prison History Hall where you can learn about those whom were imprisoned during the Japanese Colonial Period. Watching some of the testimonies at the Memorial Hall today of the survivors, and seeing the preserved buildings and historical monuments made me really sad...The stories of the survivors were so touching. If you are in Korea or come to Korea, pay respect to the fallen by visiting this place.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Siti
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Couples
Historic and informative, took around 1 hour and a half to see everything around the prison. Ticket is 3000 won.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Seoul

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