Seodaemun Prison

Today, Bridget (fellow teacher) and I went to Seodaemun Prison in Seoul which was built by the Japanese in the early 20th Century when they occupied Korea and is now a museum. The prison housed Korean independence fighters including Ryu Gwan Sun, a high school student, who was tortured and starved to death in 1920. Conditions in the prison were completely inhumane, as a punishment, prisoners were forced to stand upright in small coffins for days on end. Torture and beatings were part of daily life. Many prisoners died inside or were executed. Some women, including Ryu Gwan Sun, were kept in underground cells which were deliberately designed so prisoners were unable to stand upright in them and were subjected to rape and other sexual torture.

The museum was interesting, but very chilling, especially the graphic descriptions of torture and the execution hall. Next Saturday, I am going on the DMZ (Demilitiarised Zone between North and South Korea) with the USO, which I'm sure will be equally depressing, particularly as I have to be in Seoul by 6.30am on a Saturday...

Front gate

Let me out!

Prison guard Bridget Cells

Gate to execution building