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Seodaemun Prison History Hall

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

Costruito dal Giappone imperiale nel 1908 con il nome di Gyeongseong Gamok, questo carcere in mattoni rossi ospitò attivisti per l’indipendenza coreana – tra cui la martire adolescente Yu Gwan-sun – durante 80 anni di dominio coloniale, divisione e dittatura, prima di chiudere nel 1987. Si sono conservati undici edifici originali, tra cui i blocchi delle celle, una camera sotterranea per le torture, torri di guardia e l’edificio delle esecuzioni, con il suo tunnel nascosto per la rimozione dei corpi. Dal 1998 il complesso ospita un museo di storia e un parco commemorativo che affrontano la lotta della Corea per l’indipendenza e la sua storia politica moderna.

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?
Un ex carcere dell’epoca coloniale trasformato in memoriale, dove i combattenti per l’indipendenza coreana furono imprigionati, torturati e giustiziati. 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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