Prison History Hall

In 1910, Korea lost its independence. Japan ruled the country for 36 years. Korea tried to recover its freedom. Many patriots were put in prison. Seo-dae-mun priso n was the biggest prison at that time.

▣ Independence Gate
The Independence Gate was built in 1896 as a symbol of independence.
People donated money to build it. It was modeled after the “Arch of Triumph” in Paris. Japan built the Seo-dae-mun prison next to the gate.
They wanted Koreans to stop think ing about independence.

▣ Korean Independence Movement
One of the most famo us resistance demonstratio ns was the March 1s t Movement. Thirty-three leaders declared Korea’s independence at
Pagoda Park in 1919. More than 2 million people jo ined and shouted
“Dae-han-min-guk-man-se (Long Live Korea).” Many people were arrested and put in prison. Yu Gwan-sun, Han Yong-un and many other patriots died in the prison. However, Koreans did not give up. They set up a provisio nal go vernment in Shanghai. Korea finally wo n back its independence in 1945. Resistance Room This room tells us the historical background of Seo-dae-mun prison. We can also learn about resistance history. There is a screen that shows the Kang, woo-kyu bombing
at the Japanese governor-general building. Torture Room This room displays the cruel tortures done by the Japanese. There is an actual roo m
where real atrocities occurred. The basement priso n was built to put fema le freedom fighters. This place is also known as Yu Gwan-Sun’s cave.

**** Who is Yu, Gwan-sun?Yu Gwan-sun was a famous female freedom fighter. In 1919, she was a student at Ehwa Wo men's School. She returned to her ho metown
because the Japanese government ordered to close all the schoo ls.
She planned a jo int demo nstratio n wit h other towns. It started on the 1st of March in 1919, at the A-woo-nae Marketplace. Yu was arrested and impriso ned in the Seo-dae-mun prison. Even while in prison, she cont inued to protest for the independence of Korea. So she rece ived harsh beat ings and was tortured. She died in prison in 1920, at the age of 18.

Prison Buildings
These are the prison cells where our patriots were locked up. The rooms are dark and damp wit h no toilets. Many people died of hunger and disease in here. Execution Building This is where the executions were
carried out. There is a chair and thick rope for hanging. Next to this build ing, there is a secret tunnel for carrying dead bodies. This place reminds us of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. Tae-guek-gi The Korean nat io nal flag is called Taeguekgi. It is known that King Go jong the 26t h king of Joseon dynasty drew it. It has many meanings. The circ le in the center is divided into two parts. It symbolizes the harmony of two opposite forces such as sun & moon, man & wo man, heat & cold etc.It’s fro m the yin and yang theory (oriental philo sophy). The lines at each corner represent the four universal elements : heaven, earth, sun, and moo n. It also represents four seasons :spring, summer, fall & winter or
the direct ions : east, west, south and north .

MugungwhaThe nat io nal flo wer of Korea is the Mugungwha (Rose of Sharon). The flo wer bloo ms everywhere in Korea and lasts lo nger than other flowers.
It symbo lizes pat ience and endurance. National Anthem Korea’s nat ional ant hem is called Ae-guk-ka, which means “Song o f Love for the Country.”
We are not sure who wrote the lyrics. We had different versio ns o f this song for many years. Composer Ahn, Ik-tae wrote the music in 1937.
The Republic o f Korea adopted this song as the national anthem after the liberation from Japan.

Lyrics
Until the day when t he East Sea's waters are dry
and Mt. Baek-du are worn away,
God will protect us, lo ng live Korea!
Thousands miles of splendid rivers and mountains, filled
with Roses o f Sharon
People of Korea! Let’s preserve this land forever!

Japanese Colonial Government
After the Han-il mergence, Japan established a powerful colonial government to intervene in Joseon. Japanese led the destruction of our unique culture and took over our economy such as land, property, resources. Establishment of the Provisional Government After the 3.1 Movement, the national liberation leaders were organized in Shanghai and established the provisional government to resist against Japanese occupation. They resisted until August.15 liberation until 1945.

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My Opinion


       When a country invades another country, should the aboriginal people resist forever or stop resisting at some point? It's possible that a country could have freedom after resisting for a while but in my Opinion, I think people need to stop the resisting at some point for their goods.
        I think with resisting, there is two options. Either resist forever and get killed or even though it would be harsh stay where you are and live. If a  country resist forever, there is a greater chance of getting attacked and killed because force and millitary are the best way to stop the resist but if the people don't resist, there wouldn't be as much as people suffering. Yes, there would be people who become slaves but isn't it better to gain your life? Though the citizens will no more be a citizen of the country, the people don't have to give up there lives for an indepence that nobody knows when it'll come or even If it actually comes. The innocent citizens don't have any relation with the invasion it self and they shouldn't sacrifice there precious lives.
        Related to what I learned today at Seodaemun Prison History Hall, just like we resisted a while to Japanese , the aboriginal people have resisted a while back in history. Even though we can't turn the history up side down, it was a great oppotunity to think about the resisting deeply.