Question. What makes a person a national cultural figure? Here at the \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00, we celebrate such a person. This memorial hall honors Ham Seok-heon. He was an important figure in Korea’s history. The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 stands as a monument to his life.
\ud568\uc11d\ud5cc was born in 1901. He lived until 1989. He was a human rights activist. \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc was also a poet and a religious thinker. Some called him the Gandhi of Korea. He promoted peace and democracy.
The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 is in Dobong-gu. It is in the Samgmoon-dong neighborhood. This is where \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc spent his last years. The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 preserves his home. It was remodeled to serve as a memorial.
\ud568\uc11d\ud5cc dedicated his life to justice. He resisted the Japanese occupation. Later, he spoke out against autocratic regimes. His writings often landed him in jail. Despite this, he never stopped fighting for what he believed in.
Inside the \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00, you can explore exhibits. These exhibits detail his life. You’ll find a semi-reading room. There is also a guest room. A library preserves his written works.
The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 has two floors. The first floor has exhibition rooms. You will find a glass greenhouse there. The basement has the reading room. It also contains the archives.
\ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\’s original home was quite modest. It was only about 40 square meters. He lived there with his daughter-in-law, Ham Woo-yong. They shared the home until his death.
Planning for this memorial began in 2011. By 2015, the \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 was opened. Today, it welcomes visitors. It opens from 9 AM to 6 PM. It is closed on Mondays and some holidays. Admission is free.
To get here, you can take a local bus. Look for Dobong 5 or 6. You can also take bus 1126. Get off near Jeongui Girls’ High School. The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 is a short walk away.
The \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\uae30\ub150\uad00 is more than just a building. It is a symbol. It represents the spirit of a man. That man dedicated his life to freedom. It is a place for reflection. It inspires visitors to stand up for their beliefs. As you leave, consider \ud568\uc11d\ud5cc\’s legacy. Think about how you can make a difference in the world.