Seodaemun Prison

Seodaemun Prison History Hall
View of Seodaemun Prison History Hall from the Seodaemun Independence Park
Established
  • 1908 (as prison)
  • 1998 (as museum)
TypeMemorial museum
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Hangul
서대문형무소역사관
Hanja
西大門刑務所歷史觀
RRSeodaemun hyeongmuso yeoksagwan
MRSŏdaemun hyŏngmuso yŏksagwan
Original name
Hangul
경성감옥
Hanja
京城監獄
RRGyeongseong gamok
MRKyŏngsŏng kamok
Other names
Hangul
서울형무소; 서울교도소; 서울구치소
Hanja
서울刑務所; 서울矯導所; 서울拘置所
Lit.Seoul Prison; Seoul Correctional Institute; Seoul Detention Center
RRSeoul hyeongmuso; Seoul gyodoso; Seoul guchiso
MRSŏul hyŏngmuso; Sŏul kyodoso; Sŏul kuch'iso

Seodaemun Prison History Hall (Korean서대문형무소역사관) is a museum and former prison in Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea. Construction of this building began by Imperial Japan 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 (Keijō Kangoku). Its name was changed to Seodaemun Prison in 1923, and it later had several other names. During Korea under Japanese rule, many persons who opposed violences of Imperial Japan, were tortured or executed by Imperial Japan at this place.