Seodaemun Prison History Hall

What's On

Permanent Collections

Labor Building

The former workhouse where inmates were forced to manufacture goods for prisons, the military and government offices, including munitions during the late 1930s.

Permanent collection₩3,000

Administration and Security Office Exhibition Hall

The 1923 administration building housing the Prison History Room, three National Resistance rooms of independence-fighter relics, and the underground interrogation room with original torture implements.

Permanent collection₩3,000

Prison Building No. 9

A two-storey 1920s cell block built to confine political prisoners opposing Japanese rule; its walls still show bullet damage from Korean War fighting.

Permanent collection₩3,000

Central Prison Building

An overview of daily prison life at Seodaemun, covering the institution's organisation, guard monitoring systems, and the inmates' daily schedule.

Permanent collection₩3,000

Prison Building No. 11–12

Original cell blocks that held independence and democracy activists; visitors can enter the cells and see the tap-code system prisoners used to communicate.

Permanent collection₩3,000

Nearby

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Seoul Museum of History

Local HistoryFree16 min walk

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National Palace Museum of Korea

ArchitectureFree20 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Seodaemun Prison History Hall cost?

Standard adult admission to Seodaemun Prison History Hall is ₩3,000. 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 Labor Building, Administration and Security Office Exhibition Hall and Prison Building No. 9.

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.