PHOTOS: Secret Cold War-era bunker now art space in Seoul
By Park Jong-hyeokPosted : August 16, 2024, 16:51Updated : August 16, 2024, 16:51
SEOUL, August 16 (AJU PRESS) - Deep beneath a busy transit hub in Seoul's Yeouido district lies a once-secret underground bunker, now repurposed as an art gallery.
The bunker, discovered in 2005 during the construction of a transit center, was supposedly built in the 1970s on orders from the then-head of South Korea's presidential security following the assassination of late President Park Chung-hee's wife. With no original plans or documents, the bunker's purpose remained a mystery until investigators pieced together its Cold War origins.
In 2013, Seoul officials designated the site as a "future heritage site." Four years later, the Seoul Museum of Art opened the space as SeMA Underground Bunker, hosting exhibitions in the former bomb shelter.
Inside the history exhibition at SeMA Bunker, located beneath the Yeouido Transfer Center, on Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
The entrance to SeMA Bunker at the Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Stairs descending two levels to SeMA Bunker at the Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
VIP sofas are being displayed in SeMA Bunker's history exhibition, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Historical photos on display at SeMA Bunker's exhibition, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Interior bathroom exhibit at SeMA Bunker, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Exhibit chronicling SeMA Bunker's path to public opening, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
2005 excavation photo of SeMA Bunker, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Keys found during SeMA Bunker excavation, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Keys found during SeMA Bunker excavation, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Media art exhibition at SeMA Bunker, Yeouido Transfer Center, Aug. 16, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
