| Seodaemun Prison History Hall | |
| Established: |
|
| Type: | Memorial museum |
| Seodaemun Prison History Hall | |
| Hangul: | 서대문형무소역사관 |
| Hanja: | 西大門刑務所歷史觀 |
| Rr: | Seodaemun Hyeongmuso Yeoksagwan |
| Mr: | Sŏdaemun Hyŏngmuso Yŏksakwan |
| Othername1: | Original name |
| Hangul1: | 경성감옥 |
| Hanja1: | 京城監獄 |
| Rr1: | Gyeongsong Gamok |
| Mr1: | Kyŏngsŏng Kamok |
| Othername2: | Other names |
| Hangul2: | 서울형무소서울교도소서울구치소 |
| Hanja2: | 서울刑務所서울矯導所서울拘置所 |
| Text: | Literal translations: |
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a museum and former prison in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea. It was constructed beginning in 1907.
The prison was opened on October 21, 1908, under the name Gyeongseong Gamok. During the early part of the Japanese colonial period it was known as Keijo Prison[1] (Japanese: Keijō Kangoku). Its name was changed to Seodaemun Prison in 1923, and it later had several other names.[2]
The prison was used during the Japanese colonial period to imprison Korean independence activists. It could originally hold around 500 inmates.[3] It had a separate facility for women and young girls. In 1911, notable activist Kim Ku was imprisoned here. In 1919, shortly after the March 1st Movement, the number of imprisoned increased drastically.[4] About three thousand activists were held here.[3] Among the imprisoned after the March 1 Movement was Ryu Gwansun, who died from the torture inflicted on her.
Shortly before the end of the colonial period in 1945, the number of prisoners was 2980.[5] After liberation, the prison was used by the South Korean government, and was known by various official names, including Seoul Prison until 1961, Seoul Correctional Institute until 1967 and Seoul Detention Center until its closure in 1987. It was replaced by a facility in Uiwang City, Gyeonggi Province.[6]
In 1992, the site was dedicated as the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, part of Seodaemun Independence Park. Seven of the prison complex's original fifteen buildings are preserved as historical monuments. The History Hall covers topics related to the prison during the Japanese colonial period and continues to serve as a memorial hall.[7]
During a visit to Seodaemun in August 2015, former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama knelt in front of a memorial stone as an expression of apology for Japanese war crimes in World War II.[8]
Seodaemun Independence Park, including Seodaemun Prison, is closely located to exits 4 or 5 of the Dongnimmun Station on Seoul Subway Line 3.