From Fear to Freedom:
Namyeong-dong Detention Center Reborn as Democracy Memorial Hall
Namyeong-dong Detention Center Reborn as Democracy Memorial Hall
A Place of State Violence Becomes a Beacon of Human Rights and Democracy
In the heart of Seoul, a place once infamous for fear and repression is transforming.
Namyeong-dong Detention Center, a symbol of state violence in the 1970s and 80s,
will officially reopen in June 2025
as the Democracy Memorial Hall.
Here’s everything you need to know—its history, global significance, and new mission.
What Was the Namyeong-dong Detention Center?
- Located in Yongsan, Seoul; built in 1976 as an anti-communist interrogation facility
- Site of state violence, torture, and human rights abuses—especially during the pro-democracy movements of the 1970s and 1980s
- Where activist Park Jong-cheol died under torture in 1987, sparking Korea’s June Democratic Uprising
Key Moments: Timeline
- 1976: Facility built for anti-communist investigations
- 1987: Park Jong-cheol’s death by torture; triggers nationwide democracy movement
- 2025.6.10: Reopens as the Democracy Memorial Hall on the 38th anniversary of the June Democratic Uprising
A New Mission for Democracy
- From a symbol of fear to a center for human rights and democracy education
- Will house exhibitions, interactive experiences, and educational programs for all ages
- Aims to inspire future generations with lessons on democracy, justice, and freedom
Namyeong-dong in Film, Books & Documentaries
- 🎬 “Namyeong-dong 1985” (2012): Film based on the true story of torture survivor Kim Geun-tae
- 🎬 “1987: When the Day Comes” (2017): Blockbuster film about Park Jong-cheol’s death and Korea’s path to democracy
- 📚 “Namyeong-dong” by Kim Geun-tae: Memoir documenting state violence and the fight for dignity
- 📺 EBS Documentary “That Day”: In-depth coverage of the detention center’s history and victims’ testimonies
💡 Namyeong-dong:
From the shadows of state violence
to a light for democracy and human rights!
A must-visit place in Seoul for anyone who believes in freedom, history, and hope.
A must-visit place in Seoul for anyone who believes in freedom, history, and hope.
Want to learn more about Korea’s journey to democracy? Leave a comment or visit the memorial— we’re happy to share the story with the world!