Back to museums

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

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

Construída pelo Japão Imperial em 1908 com o nome de Gyeongseong Gamok, esta prisão de tijolos vermelhos manteve ativistas coreanos pela independência – entre eles a jovem mártir Yu Gwan-sun – durante 80 anos de domínio colonial, divisão e ditadura, antes de fechar em 1987. Sobreviveram onze edifícios originais, incluindo alas de celas, uma câmara subterrânea de tortura, torres de vigilância e o edifício das execuções, com o seu túnel oculto para remoção dos corpos. Desde 1998, o local funciona como museu de história e parque memorial, confrontando os visitantes com a luta da Coreia pela independência e a história política 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)

Show on map

Hours

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

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
FriClosed
SatTodayClosed
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

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?
Uma antiga prisão do período colonial transformada em memorial, onde combatentes coreanos pela independência foram encarcerados, torturados e executados. 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.

Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)