Jungdong-gil in Seoul has been a central location steeped in history. Especially during the modern era, it has witnessed significant historical events, making it a central street in the modern history of South Korea.
Even in contemporary times, the street leads from Deoksugung to Seodaemun, offering glimpses of buildings with a long history. It provides an opportunity to feel the breath of history. Places such as Jungdong Theater, Ewha Girls’ High School with over 100 years of history, and the former Russian Legation, which played a crucial role in modern history, can be seen along this street.
“Museum Found on Seoul Jungdong-gil, Land Development Exhibition Hall”
Near Ewha Girls’ High School on Jungdong-gil, you can discover the Land Development Exhibition Hall museum. The museum boasts a total of four floors, showcasing a considerable scale. It consists of permanent and special exhibitions. The first floor is used for special exhibitions and a cafe, while the second to fourth floors serve as spaces for permanent exhibitions.
Each floor operates as a permanent exhibition hall named Land Development Museum, Land Sharing Room, Future Land Room, and Land Journey Room. Here’s a brief description of each:
- Land Development Museum: Showcasing the history and policies of South Korea’s land development, the Land Development Museum presents plans and policies, historical development, and a vision of the future through videos, introducing comprehensive plans, urban development, waterworks, and housing development.
- Land Sharing Room: Focusing on transportation, this room explores the history and technological advancements in major national infrastructure, such as public transportation, roads, railways, airports, and harbors. The exhibition path starts with the ‘Development of Public Transportation’ on the left.
- Future Land Room: A space for learning about the mega-trends in our national land, imagining the desired future city, and discussing it together. It also provides information on six selected growth engines for future growth and economic activation.
- Land Journey Room: Showcasing the history and technology of South Korea’s construction industry in the world. Visitors can see landmarks built with our technology, learn about the challenges of overseas construction, and witness the proud growth of South Korea from a recipient country to a donor country, uniquely receiving original aid.
“A Museum to Appreciate the Development of South Korea’s Land”
The Land Development Exhibition Hall appropriately focuses on the development of South Korea’s land. It houses artifacts of nostalgia, such as tokens and warrants, offering a glimpse into the country’s past. In this sense, it serves as a space not so much for the younger generation but rather for the older generation to visit, reminisce about the past, and take a trip down memory lane.
The scale of the museum is not overly extensive. Spending approximately one hour is usually sufficient to tour all the exhibitions.
“Cafe on the 1st Floor: Jungdonggeujib”
On the first floor, there is a cafe named ‘Jungdonggeujib.’ It feels like a hidden gem within the Land Development Exhibition Hall, surprisingly spacious, well-maintained, and seemingly frequented by quite a number of people. Perhaps, it is a cafe known mostly to those in the know.
What stood out was the variety of coffee beans available for tasting. In comparison to other typical cafes, there is a diverse selection of coffee beans. The prices are reasonable, with an Americano priced at 3,500 won per cup.
However, a downside is the relatively short operating hours, as it operates in conjunction with the Land Development Exhibition Hall. It opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, with the last order at 4:50 PM.
It’s a museum to explore the history of South Korea’s land development, offering a space to reminisce about the past and memories.
“Seoul Jungdong, Land Development Exhibition Hall”
- Address: 18 Jungdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Phone: 02-3425-8900
- Operating Hours: (Tue-Sun) 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Closed: Mondays, January 1st, Lunar New Year’s Day, the day before Lunar New Year, the day after Lunar New Year, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) Day, the day before Chuseok, and the day after Chuseok
- Website: https://www.molit.go.kr/molitum/intro.do