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Seodaemun Prison History Hall

ArchitectureHistoryClosed · Opens 9:30amFrom £3000Dongnimmun Station (Line 3, Exit 5)

Built by Imperial Japan in 1908 as Gyeongseong Gamok, this red-brick prison held Korean independence activists — including the teenage martyr Yu Gwan-sun — through 80 years of colonial rule, division and dictatorship before closing in 1987. Eleven original buildings survive, including cell blocks, an underground torture chamber, watchtowers and the execution building with its hidden body-removal tunnel. Since 1998 the site has operated as a history museum and memorial park confronting Korea's independence struggle and modern political history.

What's On

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

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

Nearest station: Dongnimmun Station (Line 3, Exit 5)

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Hours

Different hours until 31 October, 09:30–18:00

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
FriTodayClosed
SatClosed
SunClosed

Admission

From £3000

Teens (13-18) ₩1,500; children (7-12) ₩1,000; seniors 65+ and infants under 7 free; groups of 20+ get 20% off

Nearby

Seoul Museum of History

Local HistoryFree16 min walk

National Palace Museum of Korea

ArchitectureFree20 min walk

MMCA Deoksugung

Art22 min walk

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

HistoryFree23 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Seodaemun Prison History Hall cost?
Standard adult admission to Seodaemun Prison History Hall is £3000. Teens (13-18) ₩1,500; children (7-12) ₩1,000; seniors 65+ and infants under 7 free; groups of 20+ get 20% off. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Seodaemun Prison History Hall?
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is open Open Tue-Sun, 9:30am-6pm (Mar-Oct) / 9:30am-5pm (Nov-Feb), last admission 30 min before closing. Closed Mondays (Tuesday instead if Monday is a public holiday), Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok. The 2nd floor of the Exhibition (Administration) Building is closed for roof restoration 1 Nov 2025-28 Feb 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Seodaemun Prison History Hall?
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is located at 251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea, in the Seodaemun-gu area of Seoul. The nearest station is Dongnimmun Station (Line 3, Exit 5).
What can I see at Seodaemun Prison History Hall?
A former colonial-era prison turned memorial, where Korean independence fighters were jailed, tortured and executed. Current highlights include Prison Building No. 11–12, Labor Building, Central Prison Building.
Do I need to book Seodaemun Prison History Hall in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Seodaemun Prison History Hall?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

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