Seodaemun Prison

Seodaemun Prison Gate
Seodaemun prison gate.

Seodaemun Prison (Hangul: 서대문형무소) is not a happy place but my visit there was a tremendously educational experience. It housed thousands of political prisoners over the course of most of the 20th century—many of whom lost their lives here, either through neglect, overwork (it was also a forced labour camp), or by way of the “body removal tunnel”. A memorial to many of Seodaemun’s victims can be seen in the photos below.

Seodaemun Prison Memorial Hall
Inside the memorial chamber.
Seodaemun Prison Memorial Hall
Victims of imperial aspiration.
Seodaemun Prison Cells
Seodaemun prison cells.
Seodaemun Prison Cell Door
Seodaemun prison cell door.
Seodaemun Prison Cell Block
Stalking the cell block.
Seodaemun Prison
Seodamun prison grounds.
Built By Slaves
Bricks imprinted with the glyph of another forced labour camp.
Seodaemun Prison Execution Chamber
Outside the execution chamber.

Read more about my experiences at Seodaemun prison in the dark side of Seoul.