Asia Society Korea Travel Series 2 – Independence Hall of Korea
Last month, we started our new Travel Series with some exercise by taking a trip up beautiful Samaksan Mountain. This month we’re going to learn about Korea’s successful battle for independence from Japan, which it finally achieved on August 15, 1945. There’s no better place to learn about this than the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan. Despite its focus on the independence movements during the Japanese Colonial Period, the museum is divided into a number of exhibits that also document the peninsula’s history from prehistoric times to the Joseon Dynasty.
Independence Hall was officially opened on the anniversary of Korea’s Independence Day on August 15, 1987. It boasts seven exhibition halls and other facilities commemorating the country’s struggle for freedom. Perhaps most fascinating are the historical records related to the uprisings in the 1910s including the March 1st, 1919 Independence Movement. The often named Samil (3-1) Movement occurred as a reaction to the repressive nature of colonial occupation under the military rule of the Japanese Empire. On that day, Korean activists read aloud the Korean Declaration of Independence along with a number of complaints they held against the Japanese. As many as two million Koreans took to the streets throughout the country to demonstrate, and the Japanese rulers chose physical force as a means to combat the crowds. In the period from March 1 to April 11, thousands were killed, injured, or imprisoned during repeated clashes. Dioramas, models, and images bring the armed resistance and independence movements to life, so visitors get to feel what it was like to live through some of the most troubling times in the nation’s history.
Other notable sites include the Grand Hall of the Nation, which is the standout building and the central point of the museum. The length of a soccer field and 15 stories in height, it was designed to replicate Suseok Temple from the Goryeo Dynasty. The Unification Bell is another “must see” sight. It was modeled after the oldest bronze bell in Korea, which is located at Sangwonsa Temple on Mt. Odaesan. Finally, no trip is complete without a selfie at Taeguk Square. Here you will find 815 South Korean national flags that were raised in 2005 on the 60th anniversary of Korea’s liberation.
With so much to see, it’s worth giving yourself three to four hours to take everything in. During the summer period, the facility is open from 09:30-18:00. There is no entrance fee as the museum is seen as a gift to the people of Korea, and the country understands the importance of making sure this critical period in the country’s history remains available to everyone. While the museum exhibits do have English labels, those who want a more detailed explanation may want to consider a guided tour. These should be arranged in advance by calling 041-560-0356; however, you might need someone who speaks Korean to help you with the reservation. Finally, the best way to get there by public transport is by taking an intercity bus to Cheonan Intercity Bus Terminal. There are a number of local buses (381, 382, 383, 390) that will take you directly to Independence Hall.
The peninsula is rich in history, both good and bad, and a trip to the Independence Hall of Korea is certain to provide an enlightening and fulfilling day-out for all ages.